The flu vaccine helps protect you from getting the flu, which is a highly contagious virus that can cause serious illness, especially for vulnerable individuals such as the elderly, pregnant women, or those with long-term health conditions like asthma or diabetes. The flu vaccine also helps reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others, making it an important step in protecting those around you. Vaccination can prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and even death.

It’s best to get the flu vaccine before the flu season starts, which typically begins in late autumn or early winter. Getting vaccinated between September and early December is ideal, but you can still benefit from the vaccine later in the season. It takes around 10-14 days after the vaccine for your immune system to build up protection, so early vaccination is recommended.

The NHS offers the flu vaccine for free to certain groups of people who are at higher risk of serious complications from the flu. You may be eligible for a free NHS flu vaccine if you:

– Are 65 years old or over

– Are pregnant

– Have certain long-term health conditions (e.g., asthma, diabetes, heart disease)

– Are living in a long-stay residential care home

– Are a frontline health or social care worker

– Are a carer for someone at risk of flu Children aged 2 to 17 years may also be eligible for a free nasal spray flu vaccine.

The flu vaccine is very safe, but like all medicines, it can cause side effects in some people. The most common side effects are mild and include:

– A sore arm where the injection was given

– Muscle aches

– A low-grade fever These side effects usually go away after a day or two. Serious side effects from the flu vaccine are very rare.

If you have any concerns, talk to your healthcare professional before getting vaccinated.