Flu (influenza)

Flu is caused by influenza viruses that infect the windpipe and lungs which are part of the respiratory system. Each year it kills on average 11,000 people and hospitalises thousands more. Getting the flu vaccine ensures the best protection for you and those around you. It’s available for free to those most at risk.

How to book

Booking an appointment using the National Booking Service
Use the NHS App on your smartphone
Contact your GP practice
Find your nearest pharmacy offering the vaccine at www.nhs.uk/flu-pharmacy
For children who are in school (up to year 11), it will be offered as part of the NHS school aged immunisation service

You may be eligible to have your COVID-19 vaccine at the same time. Check your eligibility and where you can go here.

Who should have a flu vaccination:

aged 65 years or over
pregnant people
all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2023
primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6)
secondary school aged children (from Year 7 - 11)
living in a residential or nursing home
people who have lowered immunity due to disease or treatment
living with someone who has lowered immunity
a frontline health or social care worker

If your child (reception - year 11) missed their chance to get a flu vaccination in school, visit a catch-up clinic near you this December.

Below you'll find flu mythbusters which address common misconceptions about the flu vaccine, and resources that give you the information you need to protect yourself and those around you against flu this winter.

It is important that you have the right information when making any descision about taking a new medicine or vaccination. False information can lead to some not being able to make an informed choice.

Below we have provided the correct information from the NHS for some common myths about the flu vaccination.

False claim: The flu jab is not halal

Mythbuster #1: The flu jab does not contain any pork ingredient or gelatine. Only the flu nasal spray for children includes porcine gelatin. The British Fatwa council has permitted the use of the nasal spray in children. You can also ask your GP for an alternative flu vaccine for your child if you do not want them to have the nasal spray.

False claim: The flu nasal spray can make your child unwell

Mythbuster #2: The children's nasal spray may cause a runny or blocked nose, headache, tiredness and some loss of appetite. But these symptoms usually end within 2 days and are far less serious than the effects of contracting flu.

False claim: The flu is not serious for children so it’s best to let them catch it

Mythbuster #3: Flu in children can be serious - it can lead to high fever, painful ear infections, acute bronchitis, pneumonia and even hospitalisation. Give your child the free flu vaccine to help protect them and vulnerable family and friends.

False claim: The nasal flu spray can give your child autism

Mythbuster #4: The nasal flu spray will definitely not give your child autism. The claims that the MMR vaccine causes autism have been discredited many times and there is absolutely no link between the nasal flu spray and autism.

False claim: The nasal flu spray can give your child Covid

Mythbuster #5: The nasal flu spray has been used for many years and does not contain SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus strain that causes COVID-19. The nasal flu spray will definitely not give your child Covid-19.

False claim: The flu jab gives you serious side effects

Mythbuster #6: Only 1 in a million people get serious side effects from the flu jab. All adult vaccines are given by injection into the muscle of the upper arm. Most side effects are mild and only last for a couple of days, such as:

having a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where you had your injection. This tends to be worst around a day or two following the vaccination
feeling tired
headache
general aches, or mild flu-like symptoms

To help reduce the discomfort, make sure you get some rest, continue to move your arm regularly, and if you need it - take a painkiller, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Some people, including those who are pregnant, should not take ibuprofen unless a doctor recommends it.

False claim: The flu vaccine will give you the flu

Mythbuster #7: You cannot catch the flu from the flu vaccine. The vaccine contains an inactivated virus which cannot give you flu. It may cause mild side effects such as soreness or aching muscles, a mild fever or feeling unwell, shivery, achy and tired. These are far less serious than the risks of catching the flu.

False claim: The flu vaccine will make you test positive for Covid-19

Mythbuster #8: The flu jab will not make you test positive for coronavirus. The COVID-19 test looks for the specific genetic sequence of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Flu viruses have a very different genetic sequence. The flu vaccine can definitely not affect the result of the COVID-19 test.

False claim: It’s not safe to get my flu jab at the NHS

Mythbuster #9: The NHS has taken every precaution to protect you and put robust plans in place to provide flu jabs in a COVID-safe way. If you are invited for a flu jab appointment, it's important you attend. If you are eligible for a flu vaccine and have not heard from the NHS, please ask your GP practice.

False claim: The flu vaccine itself is not safe

Mythbuster #10: The flu vaccination is safe and effective and must be given annually. It cannot give you the flu. It does not protect you from COVID-19, but it does protect against the strains of flu that will circulate this year.

False claim: The flu vaccine comes with a microchip implant

Mythbuster #11: An edited video has been shared on social media showing people being implanted with a microchip. This video was about an American company which offered its staff a microchip implant in their finger to buy snacks or use computers and photocopiers. This was not a video of a flu jab and the flu jab does not contain microchips.

False claim: The flu shot contains Covid-19

Mythbuster #12: Recent posts on social media claiming that the flu vaccine contains COVID-19 are false. The flu vaccine has been used for many years and does not contain SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus strain that causes COVID-19.

False claim: Flu can be treated with antibiotics

Mythbuster #13: Viruses cause flu. Antibiotics only work against bacteria. A bacterial infection may occur because of having the flu, in which case you may be given antibiotics to treat that infection, this will not protect against the flu.

False claim: You do not need to get the flu jab every year

Mythbuster #14: The viruses that cause flu changes (mutates), so you need vaccination that matches the new viruses each year.

False claim: I have had the flu so it is too late to be vaccinated

Mythbuster #15: As flu is caused by several viruses, the immunity you naturally developed will only protect you against one of them. You could go on to catch another strain. If you think you’ve already had flu, once you’ve recovered you should still get the vaccine as it will still help protect you.

False claim: Healthy people do not need to be vaccinated

Mythbuster #17: While it is especially important for people who have a long-term condition or chronic illness to get the flu jab, everyone benefits from being vaccinated. In addition, it is free if you are 65 and over and as we age, our natural immunity weakens increasing vulnerability to the flu virus

False claim: Getting the flu jab is all you need to protect yourself

Mythbuster #18: Do not forget to wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and try to avoid contact with people who have the flu. This is particularly important in the context of Covid -19.

Mythbuster translations

Flu is an unpredictable virus that can kill thousands of people during a flu season. The flu vaccine is the best defence we have against it, so everyone who is eligible should have it. Those eligible are:

aged 65 years or over
pregnant people
all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2023
primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6)
secondary school aged children (from Year 7 - 11)
living in a residential or nursing home
people who have lowered immunity due to disease or treatment
living with someone who has lowered immunity
a frontline health or social care worker

This leaflet explains how you can help protect yourself and your children against flu this coming winter, and why it’s very important that people who are at increased risk from flu have their free vaccination every year.

Information for parents and carers of pre-school children

This leaflet provides information for parents and carers of preschool and primary school-aged children, including why you should get your child vaccinated and how the vaccine will be given.

The Immunising preschool children against flu - leaflet

Information for parents and carers primary school aged children and year 7

This leaflet is for parents, guardians and carers of primary school and Year 7 secondary school-aged children. It explains which children are eligible for a flu vaccination, as well as describing the disease and the nasal flu vaccine. It is intended for children, parents or guardians/carers and should be accompanied by a consent form.

Protecting your child against flu 2022 to 2023 - leaflet

Translations:

If you are pregnant, catching flu can be serious for you and your unborn baby. The flu vaccine helps to protect you and your baby from serious illness and provides your baby with protection for the first few months of life. For more information, visit the NHS website.

This leaflet 'how to help protect you and your baby' describes the vaccinations that help protect you and your baby during and after pregnancy - including the flu vaccination.