Flu vaccine

Getting your Flu Vaccine means your symptoms will be milder and you will recover faster.

This page 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.

The NHS provides it every year in autumn or at the beginning of winter.

You are eligible for a 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 a person with a weak immune system

How do I get the flu vaccine?

If you are in one of the groups eligible for an NHS flu vaccine, you can get your vaccine:

• At your GP surgery
• A pharmacy offering the NHS flu vaccine (for those 18 and over)

Some people may be able to get the vaccine through their maternity services or care home.

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 vaccine and shingles vaccine.

Who cannot have the flu vaccine

Most people who are eligible for the flu vaccine can have it.

You can have the vaccine unless you have had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the vaccine or an ingredient in the vaccine. Some of the flu vaccines have egg protein in them; let the person who is to inject you be aware if you are allergic to eggs.