The flu vaccine helps protect against flu, which can be a serious or life-threatening illness. It’s offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter to people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.
This advice is about the flu vaccine for adults. There are also pages about the children’s flu vaccine and flu jab in pregnancy.
Who should have the flu vaccine
The flu vaccine is recommended for people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu. It’s offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter.
You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:
- are aged 65 or over
- have certain long-term health conditions
- are pregnant
- live in a care home
- are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer’s allowance
- live with someone who has a weakened immune system
Frontline health and social care workers can also get a flu vaccine through their employer.
Health conditions that mean you’re eligible for the flu vaccine
The flu vaccine is recommended for people with certain long-term health conditions, including:
- conditions that affect your breathing, such as asthma (needing a steroid inhaler or tablets), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or cystic fibrosis
- heart conditions, such as coronary heart disease or heart failure
- chronic kidney disease
- liver disease, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis
- some conditions that affect your brain or nerves, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy
- diabetes or Addison’s disease
- a weakened immune system due to a condition such as HIV or AIDS, or due to a treatment such as chemotherapy or steroid medicine
- problems with your spleen, such as sickle cell disease, or if you’ve had your spleen removed
- a learning disability
- being very overweight – a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above
- Speak to your GP surgery or specialist if you have a health condition and you’re not sure if you’re eligible for the flu vaccine.
When you should have the flu vaccine
Most eligible adults will be able to get the flu vaccine from Thursday October 3rd. This may be later than you’ve had the vaccine before, but it means you’ll have the best protection when flu is most widespread.
Some people may have their vaccination from September, including if:
- you’re pregnant (especially if you’re near to your due date) – it’s important to get vaccinated before giving birth to help protect yourself and your baby for the first few months of their life
- you’re due to have treatment that will weaken your immune system (such as chemotherapy) – the vaccine may be given before treatment starts because it works better if given when your immune system is stronger
Speak to your GP for advice if you think you need to have the vaccine earlier than October.
How to get the flu vaccine
If you’re eligible, you may be able to get a flu vaccine from:
- a pharmacy that offers NHS flu vaccination
- your GP surgery
- your care home (if you live in a care home)
- your maternity service (if you’re pregnant)
- your employer (if you’re a frontline health or social care worker)
Frontline health or social care workers
Frontline health and social care workers will usually get the flu vaccine through their employer.
If you cannot get a flu vaccine through your employer, you can get it at a pharmacy or your GP surgery if you’re employed:
- by a registered residential care or nursing home
- by a registered domiciliary care provider
- by a voluntary managed hospice provider
- through direct payments or personal health budgets
Book online now
If you’re aged 18 or over, you can book a flu vaccination appointment at a pharmacy online or in the NHS App now.
You need to book your vaccination before December 20.
Having the flu vaccine at the same time as other vaccines
You can have the flu vaccine at the same time as other vaccines such as the COVID-19 and shingles vaccines.
It’s not usually given at the same time as the RSV vaccine, but you can have them at the same time if a doctor or nurse thinks it’s needed.
Who cannot have the flu vaccine
Most people who are eligible for the flu vaccine can have it.
You only cannot have the vaccine if you’ve had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the vaccine or an ingredient in the vaccine.
Some of the flu vaccines used in the UK contain egg protein. Tell the person vaccinating you if you have an egg allergy.
Getting vaccinated if you’re unwell
If you have a high temperature, wait until you’re feeling better before having your flu vaccine.
Flu vaccine ingredients
There are several types of flu vaccine given in the UK. If you’re eligible for the flu vaccine on the NHS, you’ll be offered one of the types that’s most appropriate for you.
You can check the ingredients in the patient leaflets here.
Side effects of the flu vaccine
The most common side effects of the flu vaccine are mild and get better within one to two days.
They can include:
- pain or soreness where the injection was given
- a slightly raised temperature
- an aching body
More serious side effects such as a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) are very rare. The person who vaccinates you will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.
The injected flu vaccines used in the UK do not contain live flu viruses. They cannot give you flu.
More about vaccine safety
Find out more about why vaccinations are important and the safest way to protect yourself
How well the flu vaccine works and how long it lasts
The flu vaccine aims to protect you against the most common types of flu viruses.
There’s still a chance you might get flu after getting vaccinated, but it’s likely to be milder and not last as long. The vaccine usually takes up to 14 days to work.
Protection from the flu vaccine goes down with time and the types of flu virus the vaccine protects against are updated each year. This is why it’s important to get the flu vaccine every year.
