Flu Vaccine Information: Adults & Children

Information for Adults Flu Vaccine:

Flu vaccination is safe and effective. It's offered every year through the NHS to help protect people at risk of getting seriously ill from flu.

 

Why flu vaccination is important:

Flu vaccination is important because, while flu is unpleasant for most people, it can be dangerous and even life threatening for some people, particularly those with certain health conditions.

The best time to have your flu vaccine is in the autumn or early winter before flu starts spreading. But you can get your vaccine later.

 

Who can have the flu vaccine?

The flu vaccine is given free on the NHS to adults who:

  • are 65 and over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2024)
  • have certain health conditions
  • are pregnant
  • are in long-stay residential care
  • receive a carer's allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
  • live with someone who is more likely to get a severe infection due to a weakened immune system, such as someone living with HIV, someone who has had a transplant, or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis

 

When to get the flu vaccine:

If you're eligible for the flu vaccine, we will let you know when you can get it by letter, call, text or email. Please wait to be invited.

Important:

It's important to go to your vaccination appointments unless you have a high temperature or feel too unwell to go to work or do your normal activities.

 

Flu vaccine for people with long-term health conditions:

The flu vaccine is offered free on the NHS to people with certain long-term health conditions, including:

If you have a long-term health condition that is not in one of these groups, call the surgery during our triaging times to speak to one of our Doctors.

 

Flu vaccine if you're pregnant:

You should have the flu vaccine if you're pregnant to help protect you and your baby.

It's safe to have a flu vaccine at any stage of pregnancy.

Find out more about flu vaccine in pregnancy

 

Who should not have the flu vaccine:

Most adults can have the flu vaccine, but you should avoid it if you have had a serious allergic reaction to a flu vaccine in the past.

You may be at risk of an allergic reaction to the flu vaccine injection if you have an egg allergy. This is because some flu vaccines are made using eggs.

Ask a GP or pharmacist for a low-egg or egg-free vaccine.

If you're ill with a high temperature, it's best to wait until you're better before having the flu vaccine.

 

How effective is the flu vaccine?

Vaccination gives the best protection against flu.

Flu vaccines help protect against the main types of flu viruses, although there's still a chance you might get flu.

If you do get flu after vaccination, it's likely to be milder and not last as long.

Having a flu vaccine may help stop you spreading flu to other people who could be more at risk of serious problems from flu.

It can take 10 to 14 days for the flu vaccine to work.

 

Flu vaccine side effects:

Flu vaccines are very safe. All adult flu vaccines are given by injection into the muscle of the upper arm.

Most side effects are mild and only last for a day or so, such as:

  • a slightly raised temperature
  • muscle aches
  • sore arm where the needle went in

Try these tips to help reduce the discomfort:

  • continue to move your arm regularly
  • take a painkiller, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen – some people, including those who are pregnant, should not take ibuprofen unless a doctor recommends it

Allergic reactions to the flu vaccine:

It's very rare for anyone to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to the flu vaccine. If this does happen, it usually happens within minutes.

The person who vaccinates you will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.

Report a side effect:

Anyone can report a suspected side effect of a vaccine through the Yellow Card Scheme.

 

Flu vaccine ingredients:

There are several types of injected flu vaccine. None of them contain live viruses and they cannot give you flu.

If you're eligible for the flu vaccine on the NHS, you'll be offered one that's most appropriate for you.

Talk to a GP, practice nurse or pharmacist for more information about these vaccines.

Read more about why vaccination is safe and important, including how they work and what they contain.

 

More information and other formats:

 

How to book your appointment:

If you're child is eligible for a free flu vaccine, you can book your appointment by popping into surgery or calling us during our quieter periods on 0151-727-5555.

If you cannot get an appointment straight away, ask if you can book one for when more vaccines are available.

Weekend Drop in Clinic Dates: 

Date:

Times:

Saturday 7th October 2023

8.30am – 12.30pm

Saturday 14th October 2023

8.30am – 12.30pm

Saturday 21st October 2023

8.30am – 12.30pm

Everyone who is eligible for the free flu vaccine will be able to get it.

 

Information for Children's flu vaccine:

The children's nasal spray flu vaccine is safe and effective. It's offered every year to children to help protect them against flu.

Flu is caused by the influenza virus. It can be a very unpleasant illness for children. It can also lead to serious problems, such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

Children can catch and spread flu easily. Vaccinating them also protects others who are vulnerable to flu, such as babies and older people.

Information:

If you have any questions about vaccinations, you can:

 

Who should have the nasal spray flu vaccine

The nasal spray flu vaccine is free on the NHS for:

  • children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2023 (born between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2021)
  • all primary school children (Reception to Year 6)
  • some secondary school aged children (Year 7 to Year 11)
  • children aged 2 to 17 years with certain long-term health conditions

If your child is aged between 6 months and 2 years and has a long-term health condition that makes them at higher risk from flu, they'll be offered a flu vaccine injection instead of the nasal spray.

This is because the nasal spray is not licensed for children under 2 years old.

The nasal spray vaccine offers the best protection for children aged 2 to 17 years. They'll be offered a flu vaccine injection if the nasal spray vaccine is not suitable for them. Injected flu vaccines are also safe and effective.

 

Children with long-term health conditions

Children with certain long-term health conditions, such as diabetes or heart problems, are at higher risk from flu.

It's important they're vaccinated.

If it's their first time being vaccinated against flu, children under 9 years old with certain long-term health conditions will usually be offered a 2nd dose of the flu vaccine from 4 weeks after the 1st dose. This helps them develop immunity against flu for that first season.

 

Where to have the flu vaccine:

Child's age:

Where to have the flu vaccine:

From 6 months until 2 years
(with certain long-term health conditions)

GP surgery

From 2 years until child
starts primary school

GP surgery

All children at primary school (Reception to Year 6)

School

Secondary school aged children in eligible groups (Year 7 to Year 11)

School

Children in eligible school groups
(with certain long-term health conditions)

School or GP surgery

Children who are home-schooled or not in mainstream education
(same ages as those offered in eligible groups at schools)

Community clinic

School aged children who miss the vaccination session at school will have other opportunities to get vaccinated. This will usually be at NHS community clinics.

Home-schooled children and children not in mainstream education should be invited for vaccination by the school aged immunisation service. If you do not hear from them, ask your Local Authority Education Department about arrangements.

 

School children with certain long-term health conditions:

If you have a child with a certain long-term health condition, you can call the surgery to request the vaccine be administered here rather them having it at school if you prefer.

If your child is not in one of the eligible school aged groups, contact the surgery and request an appointment with our Nursing team.

Important: What if my child is unwell on the day?

You may be asked to wait until your child is better before having the nasal spray flu vaccine if they have:

  • a very blocked or runny nose – these might stop the vaccine getting into their system
  • a high temperature
  • have asthma and are actively wheezing.

Sometimes an injected vaccine may be offered instead.

 

How the nasal spray flu vaccine is given

The vaccine is given as a spray squirted up each nostril. It's quick and painless.

The vaccine will still work even if your child gets a runny nose, sneezes or blows their nose.

 

How effective is the nasal spray flu vaccine?

The nasal spray flu vaccine gives children the best protection against flu. The injected flu vaccine is a good alternative if the nasal spray vaccine cannot be used.

It may take around 2 weeks for the flu vaccine to work.

Any child who catches flu after vaccination is less likely to be seriously ill or be admitted to hospital.

 

Side effects of the children's flu vaccine:

Flu vaccines are very safe.

Side effects of the nasal spray flu vaccine are mild and do not last long. They include:

  • a runny or blocked nose
  • a headache
  • tiredness
  • loss of appetite

For the injected flu vaccine, most side effects are also mild and do not last long. They include:

  • a sore arm (or thigh) where the injection was given
  • a slightly raised temperature
  • aching muscles

These side effects usually last for 1 or 2 days.

 

What's in the nasal spray flu vaccine?

The nasal spray flu vaccine contains small amounts of weakened flu viruses. They do not cause flu in children.

As flu viruses change each year, a new nasal spray vaccine has to be given each year.

The brand of nasal spray flu vaccine available in the UK is called Fluenz Tetra.

The nasal spray vaccine contains small traces of gelatine derived from pigs (porcine gelatine). If this is not suitable because you do not accept the use of porcine gelatine in medical products, a flu vaccine injection is available that contains no gelatine.

Your child may be able to have an injected vaccine instead.

See the emc website for a full list of ingredients in the Fluenz Tetra nasal spray patient information leaflet

 

More information and other formats:

 

How to book your appointment:

If you're child is eligible for a free flu vaccine, you can book your appointment by popping into surgery or calling us during our quieter periods on 0151-727-5555.

If you cannot get an appointment straight away, ask if you can book one for when more vaccines are available.

Weekend Drop in Clinic Dates: 

Date:

Times:

Saturday 7th October 2023

8.30am – 12.30pm

Saturday 14th October 2023

8.30am – 12.30pm

Saturday 21st October 2023

8.30am – 12.30pm

Everyone who is eligible for the free flu vaccine will be able to get it.

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