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From 1 April 2026, NHS North West London and North Central London Integrated Care Board joined together to become NHS West and North London.

This means the public website is no longer updated and will be archived in the future.  The professional section of the website will continue to be used for the next few months before being transferred to a new site.

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From 1 April 2026, please visit the new NHS West and North London website for the latest information, news and updates. The website address is www.westandnorthlondon.icb.nhs.uk

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Flu (influenza)

The flu is a common and highly infectious disease caused by influenza viruses. It leads to hundreds of thousands of GP visits and tens of thousands of hospital stays each year in the UK. Most people recover without treatment but it can be very dangerous and cause serious complications, sometimes even death. Vaccination doesn't just protect you, it protects those around you too. 

The following groups are eligible for a free NHS flu vaccination:

From 1 September 2026:

  • pregnant women
  • all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2026
  • primary school and secondary school-aged children - from reception to year 11 (individuals 17 years and over attending a special education needs (SEN) school and who are in a clinical risk group may also be vaccinated alongside their peers)
  • all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years (as defined by the Green Book, Influenza Chapter)

From 1 October 2026:

  • those aged 65 years and over
  • those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book, Influenza Chapter)
  • those in long-stay residential care homes
  • carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
  • close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
  • frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer-led occupational health scheme, including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and those that are employed by those who receive direct payments (personal budgets), or Personal Health budgets, such as personal assistants

Adults (aged 18 and over)

If you're eligible for an NHS flu vaccine, you can:

Some people may be able to get vaccinated through their maternity service or care home, or through their employer if they're a frontline health or social care worker*.

*In London, frontline health and social care workers (including pharmacy staff, optometrist staff and dentistry staff) whose employer does not provide an occupational health vaccination scheme and who are not otherwise able to seek vaccination through the national influenza vaccination programme and are directly involved with the care of vulnerable individuals who are at increased risk from exposure to influenza, can receive a free flu vaccination on the NHS at a participating pharmacy.
Individuals aged 18+ can receive a free flu vaccine at a participating pharmacy if they are:
  • experiencing homelessness
  • who identify as being from gypsy, roma and traveller communities
  • who identify themselves as sex workers
  • with learning disabilities
  • who identify themselves as having a mental health condition
  • within detained estates or in contact with justice systems
  • who identify themselves as vulnerable migrants
  • who identify themselves as asylum seekers
  • who identify themselves as victims of modern slavery
  • who are experiencing drug and alcohol dependencies.

Children and young people (6 months - under 18 years of age)

Children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2026

To get a flu vaccine for a child aged 2 or 3 years old, you can:

School-aged children (Reception to Year 11)

Most school-aged children (Reception to Year 11) get their flu vaccine at school.

You should get an invitation from your child's school or the School Age Immunisation Service (this is Vaccination UK in North West London) to get their vaccine, usually during the autumn term.

If your child misses their vaccination at school or if they are home educated (home-schooled), they should be offered a flu vaccine at a community clinic.

If your child is 4 years old but has not started school yet, they can get vaccinated at either:

  • a community clinic (see link above) - if they turned 4 years of age on or before 31 August 2026
  • their GP surgery or a pharmacy that offers flu vaccination (see links above) - if they turned 4 years of age after 31 August 2026
Children with certain long-term health conditions

Children with certain long-term health conditions that put them at higher risk from flu can get a flu vaccine from their:

  • school (if they're in Reception to Year 11)
  • GP surgery

If your child is in Reception to Year 11, they should get an invitation from their school or the School Age Immunisation Service to have the vaccine, usually during the autumn term.

If your child is not in school or you want to vaccinate your child earlier than when it's offered at school, contact their GP surgery in autumn or early winter to book an appointment.

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: 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 vaccinations contain pork

Mythbuster: The flu and COVID-19 jabs do not contain any pork ingredients or gelatine. Only the flu nasal spray for children includes porcine gelatine. The British Fatwa council has permitted the use of the nasal spray in children. An alternative vaccine is also available for children which does not include porcine gelatine.

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

Mythbuster: 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: 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: 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-19

Mythbuster: 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: 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: It won't. The flu jab cannot give you the flu - it does not contain any of the live flu virus.

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

Mythbuster: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Viruses change and the protection these vaccines offer fades over time. For those who are more likely to become seriously ill from the viruses, the NHS offers a free vaccine in winter to top up protection.

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

Mythbuster: 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: 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: 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.

False claim: Getting the flu jab while pregnant will harm my baby

Mythbuster: Having the flu vaccine will help protect you and your baby. They are safe to have at any stage of pregnancy and recommended.

Mythbuster translations

Further information on the flu vaccine can be found here:

Protects yourself against flu - easy readSome people with a learning disability are more likely to be very ill if they get flu.

The best way to avoid getting flu is to have a flu vaccine. 

Below are resources explaining how and why you should get the vaccine this winter.

Translated information

Flu and COVID-19 leaflet (English) pictured rightimage.png

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