It’s time to get our winter jumpers out of storage once more (although you needn’t have bothered packing them away this year!).
The chill in the air can be a reminder for carers to think about getting your flu jab booked.
While flu causes mild illness in most people, some people can develop potentially serious complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia. The flu vaccine helps protect family, friends and the people you care for who may be vulnerable.
Flu spreads more easily in winter when we spend more time together indoors and usually reaches its peak over the festive and New Year period. Nobody wants to miss out on the festive celebrations with their friends and family this winter and the vaccines provide the best possible protection.
Most eligible adults will be able to get their flu vaccine from 3 October (see below). This may be later than you’ve had the vaccine before, but it means you’ll have the best protection when flu is most widespread.
It is important to top up your protection, even if you have had a vaccine or been ill with flu before, as immunity fades over time and these viruses change each year.
In 2024 the following groups will be offered flu vaccination:
From 1 September:
pregnant women
all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024
primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6)
secondary school aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11)
all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years
From 3 October:
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 19) – such as diabetes, heart disease, some neurological conditions, liver disease or a weakened immune system (for instance due to being prescribed steroids or treated for cancer)
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
All those eligible are urged to join the millions of others who have taken up their free vaccine offer to get winter strong – don’t put it off, book your appointment today and arm yourself against the risk of severe illness.
You will be able check your eligibility and book online at http://www.nhs.uk/wintervaccinations
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