General Practice Content Commons

Protect your festive season with a flue vaccine

Posted on:

  • The NHS has issued a ‘flu SOS’ with flu cases rising a month earlier than previous seasons
  • Flu cases are rising rapidly and some predictions point to this shaping up to be the worst flu season in a decade
  • The flu vaccine helps protect those most vulnerable from developing serious illness and being hospitalised
  • Christmas/winter is just around the corner which is when more people are likely to become ill with flu as we spend more time indoors
  • The flu vaccine takes two weeks to become fully effective so you need to come forwards now in order to be protected in time for the festive season.
  • Last year in England, flu caused around 8,000 deaths, while vaccination prevented an estimated 96,000 to 120,200 hospitalisations.

A recent vaccine effectiveness study by UKHSA shows that:

  • By getting this year’s flu vaccine, children are 75% less likely to end up in hospital with flu
  • It is important to get protected, even if you have had a vaccine or been ill with flu before, as immunity fades over time and these viruses change each year.
  • If you are vaccinated and catch flu this winter, you are likely to have milder symptoms and recover faster, cutting your risk of being hospitalised.

Those eligible includes those:

  • aged 65 and over
  • aged 6 months to 64 years old with certain long term health conditions
  • aged 2 and 3 year olds
  • school aged children (Reception to Year 11)• pregnant women
  • frontline health and social care workers
  • people who live in a care home
  • people who are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer’s allowance
  • people who live with someone who has a weakened immune system

Call to action

  • If you are eligible, join the millions of others who have had their free flu vaccine and make sure you stay strong this winter
  • With the festive season just around the corner, get your flu vaccine now to make sure you and your loved ones are protected in time. In light of rising flu cases, the NHS is making it easier than ever to get your flu vaccine. Check (regional/national webpage) to see how you can get your vaccine today
  • Don’t put it off, book your flu vaccine appointment today and arm yourself against the risk of severe illness over the festive period
  • If you are eligible, you can book your vaccine via the NHS App, visit nhs.uk/BookFlu, call 119, or contact your GP practice or pharmacy. There are also a range of additional ways to get vaccinated in your area. Visit (regional/national webpage) for more information.

Regional ‘Flu Vaccination Drive’ webpages