Protection against flu

Tell me more about how I can protect myself from flu

Help protect yourself against and prevent the spread of flu

You can help protect against catching and spreading the flu virus with good hygiene practices:¹

Wash your hands with soap and warm water

Regularly clean surfaces

Avoid close contact with people who have flu-like symptoms

Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze

Put used tissues in a bin as soon as possible

Getting your flu vaccination can also help stop you getting and spreading flu¹

About flu vaccination

Vaccination

Flu vaccination is an effective way to help protect you and others who may be at risk of flu and its related complications.² It is offered free of charge on the NHS to those who may be at increased risk from flu and its complications, even if they currently feel well.²

When to get vaccinated

The best time to have a flu vaccination is usually in the autumn, but this can vary each year. Your GP surgery, local pharmacy or the NHS website will tell you when is the best time to receive the flu vaccine each year.² Like all vaccines, flu vaccination can cause side effects.² You may experience a slightly raised temperature and aching muscles for a couple of days after your vaccination, and your arm may be a bit sore where you were injected.²

Protection

The flu vaccine is developed each year to help protect you against the flu virus strains that are predicted to spread that year.³ It may take 10–14 days for the flu vaccine to work.² The flu vaccine cannot give you flu. If you experience flu symptoms after your vaccination, it might be that you have been exposed to the flu virus before the vaccine has had a chance to start working.⁴

Talk to your GP, nurse or pharmacist if you would like further information or advice about how to help prevent catching or spreading flu.¹

Who is eligible for a flu vaccination?

A smiling woman and a focused man engaging in a fun painting activity together at a table, with the woman guiding the man's hand holding a paintbrush over a colorful palette.

A flu vaccination may be given to people who:^1,5,6,7

Are aged 65 years and over in England, Wales & Northern Ireland
Are aged 50 years and over in Scotland
Have certain health conditions
Are pregnant
Are in long-stay residential care
Are carers for older or disabled persons who may be at risk of flu-related complications
Live with someone who may be at risk of flu-related complications
Are frontline health or social care workers
Are aged from 6 months up to 17 years (see below for details)

People who are pregnant

A flu vaccination can help protect both you and your baby from flu.^8,9 During pregnancy, your immune system goes through changes to support your growing baby. However, these changes may make you more vulnerable to infections like flu.¹⁰

Carers

If you are a carer, a flu vaccination can help protect not only you, but those you look after.¹¹ If your patients are elderly, disabled or unable to live alone, they may be at greater risk of becoming seriously ill from flu.¹²

Flu vaccination for babies and children

Children may be at greater risk of flu-related complications.¹¹ It is recommended that children aged from 6 months who have conditions that put them at higher risk of complications from flu, and children with no risk conditions aged 2 years to 17 year are vaccinated.¹¹ Age groups recommended in the children's vaccination programme may differ across each country in the UK.

People with certain medical conditions

Chronic respiratory disease

Chronic kidney disease

Chronic neurological disease

Spleen problems or no spleen

Obesity

Chronic heart disease

Chronic liver disease

Diabetes

Weakened immune system

Other conditions may also be considered when deciding whether a flu vaccination is needed. Talk to your GP, nurse or pharmacist if you would like further information or advice about flu or the national flu vaccination programme.

Getting a flu vaccination is simple

Getting a flu vaccination is simpler than you might think. Talk to your GP, nurse or pharmacist to see if you might be eligible for a free flu vaccination.²

You can have a free NHS flu vaccination at:

Your GP surgery
A pharmacy offering the service
Some midwifery services if you are pregnant

There are several types of flu vaccine. You'll be offered the one that's most effective for you depending on your age.²

Still have questions?

Frequently asked questions about flu

Flu FAQs

References

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NHS. Flu vaccine. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/ [Last accessed February 2024]
CDC. Selecting viruses for the seasonal influenza vaccine. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/vaccine-selection.htm [Last accessed February 2024]
Patient info. Can the flu jab really give you the flu? https://patient.info/news-and-features/can-the-flu-vaccine-really-give-you-the-flu [Last accessed February 2024]
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/ [Last accessed February 2024]
https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/immunisation-and-vaccines/fluvaccine/ [Last accessed February 2024]
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/flu-vaccine [Last accessed February 2024]
NHS. The flu jab in pregnancy. https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/flu-jab/ [Accessed February 2024]
CDC. Flu and Pregnant Women. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/pregnant.htm [Accessed February 2024]
Rasmussen SA, et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2008;14:95–100
Green book. Chapter 19. Influenza. (2020). https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/931139/Green_book_chapter_19_influenza_V7_OCT_2020.pdf [Last accessed February 2024]
Well Pharmacy. Can Carers Get a Free Flu Jab? https://www.well.co.uk/advice/can-carers-get-a-free-flu-jab [Last accessed February 2024]
NHS. Flu vaccination and longer-term respiratory conditions. https://www.england.nhs.uk/south/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/09/Respiratory-Conditions-and-Flu-Vaccine-Importance-23-24-v1.docx [Accessed February 2024]
BHF. Flu. https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/support/practical-support/seasonal-influenza [Last accessed February 2024]
NHS. Flu vaccinations and long-term heart conditions. https://www.england.nhs.uk/south/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/09/Heart-Disease-and-Flu-Vaccine-Importance-23-24-v1.docx [Last accessed February 2024]
CDC. Flu and people with chronic kidney disease. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/chronic-kidney-disease.htm [Last accessed February 2024]
Härmälä S et al. 2019. BMJ Open; 9: e031070
British Liver Trust. Get the flu jab. https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/campaigns/get-the-jab/. [Last accessed February 2024]
NHS. Flu Vaccinations and Chronic Neurological Diseases. https://www.england.nhs.uk/south/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/09/Neurological-Disease-and-Flu-Vaccine-Importance-23-24-v1.docx [Last accessed February 2024]
NHS. Flu vaccination and diabetes. https://www.england.nhs.uk/south/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/09/Diabetes-and-Flu-Vaccine-Importance-23-24-v1.docx [Last accessed February 2024]
NHS England. Vaccination Audit For Asplenic Patients. https://www.england.nhs.uk/atlas_case_study/vaccination-audit-for-asplenic-patients/ [Last accessed February 2024]
NHS. Spleen Problems And Spleen Removal. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/spleen-problems-and-spleen-removal/ [Last accessed February 2024]
Zhao X, et al. Front Endocrinol. 2020;11:595109;
CDC. People at High Risk For Flu Complications. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/index.htm [Last accessed February 2024]
Honce R, Schultz-Cherry S. Front Immunol. 2019;10:1071.