The flu vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine. It’s offered every year on the NHS to help protect people at risk of getting seriously ill from flu.
Around 35 million people in England are eligible for a free flu vaccine. For most people, the flu vaccine will be offered via GPs, midwives, and schools.
The best time to have the flu vaccine is in the autumn or early winter before flu starts spreading.
Find out more about the COVID-19 booster vaccine and who can get it.
Stockport residents do not need to call their GP about the flu or COVID-19 booster vaccine. Those who are eligible for a free flu vaccine will be contacted by their GP practice. Eligible patients can also book an appointment at a pharmacy.
If you do not have your flu vaccine at your GP surgery, you do not have to tell the surgery. This will be done for you.
If six months have elapsed since the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, a booster vaccine can be booked on the NHS National Booking Service.
Flu symptoms can appear very quickly and include a high temperature about 38C, an aching body, feeling exhausted, sore throat and runny nose and loss of appetite. Children may also become less active and get ear pain.
Some people may be eligible for both the flu and the COVID-19 booster vaccines. If you are offered both vaccines, it’s safe to have them at the same time.
If you’ve had COVID-19, it’s safe to have the flu vaccine. It will still be effective at helping to prevent flu. If you get flu and COVID-19 at the same time, research shows you’re more likely to be seriously ill.
The flu vaccine is given free on the NHS to the following people:
For more information about the vaccine including for pregnant women and people with long term health conditions and visit the NHS website: www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/.
Find out more about the children’s flu vaccine: www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine/.