Flu Vaccinations 2020
Are you eligible for a free vaccine?
This year, the NHS is offering more people than ever a free vaccine. If you fall into one of these at–risk groups, then you will be eligible for a free vaccine:
-
adults 65 and over
-
people with certain medical conditions (including children in at-risk groups from 6 months of age)
-
pregnant women
-
people living with someone who is at high risk from coronavirus (on the NHS shielded patient list)
-
children aged 2 and 3 years on 31 August 2020
-
children in primary school
-
children in year 7 (secondary school)
-
frontline health and social care workers
Later in the year, the flu vaccine may be given to people aged 50 to 64. More information will be available later in the autumn. However, if you are aged 50 to 64 and in an at-risk group, you should not delay having your flu vaccine.
You can find more information here www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine.
If you are eligible for a free flu vaccine, then your GP surgery should contact you to arrange this.
Even if you are not eligible you may be able to get vaccinated at pharmacies for a fee – find your local pharmacy here.
Why is the flu vaccination especially important this year?
According to the NHS, getting the flu vaccination is important because:
-
if you're at higher risk from coronavirus, you're also more at risk of problems from flu
-
if you get flu and coronavirus at the same time, you may be more seriously ill
-
having the flu vaccine may help to reduce pressure on the NHS and social care staff who may be dealing with coronavirus
Mythbuster
- The flu vaccine cannot give you flu
- None of the flu vaccines contains live viruses so they cannot cause flu.
Further resources:
To access easy read resources on Flu Vaccinations, please visit the government website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/flu-leaflet-for-people-with-learning-disability
For more information on Adults Flu Vaccinations, visit the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/
For more information on Children’s Flu Vaccinations, visit the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine/
