For most people, flu is an unpleasant illness, but it's not serious. If you are otherwise healthy, you will usually recover from flu within a week. However, certain people are more likely to develop potentially serious complications of flu, such as bronchitis and pneumonia. These people should have a flu jab each year.

The flu vaccine is offered free of charge on the NHS to people who are at risk to ensure that they are protected against catching flu and developing serious complications. You are eligible to receive a free flu jab if you are: 

• 65 years of age or over 
• Pregnant
• Or have a long term condition such as:
• A heart problem
• A chest complaint or breathing difficulties, including bronchitis, emphysema or severe asthma
• Kidney disease
• Lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as steroid medication or cancer treatment)
• Liver disease
• Had a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
• Diabetes
• A neurological condition, eg multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebral palsy or learning disability
• A problem with your spleen, eg sickle cell disease, or you have had your spleen removed
• Are seriously overweight (BMI of 40 and above)
• Living in a residential or nursing home
• The main carer of an older or disabled person
• A household contact of an immunocompromised person
• A frontline health or social care worker

Children being offered the vaccine this year are: Children aged 6 months to under 18 years with long-term health conditions. All children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August will be given the vaccination at their general practice. Primary school-aged children will be offered the flu vaccine in school.

Read more information about:

• which children can have the flu vaccine?
• children's flu vaccine side effects
• children's flu vaccine frequently asked questions

Please note that our flu appointments are in dedicated flu clinics and no other injections or medical advice can be given during these appointments.

Everybody aged 65 and over should now be immunised to help protect them against pneumococcal infection which can cause diseases such as pneumonia, septicaemia (blood poisoning) and meningitis. Please phone the surgery during September to make an appointment if the above applies to you.