The most frequently asked questions about flu and the flu vaccine

What is flu?

Flu (influenza) is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses. Symptoms include a fever, cough, sore throat, body aches and fatigue. Flu spreads easily between people when they cough or sneeze.

Flu can cause severe illness which can lead to pneumonia and sepsis, resulting in hospitalisation and death, particularly among older people and those with a serious medical condition.

Why should I have a flu vaccine?

The flu vaccine helps protect against flu, which can be a serious or life-threatening illness. It's offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter to people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.

Last winter in England, there were 7,757 deaths from flu with 340,000 bed days taken up by flu patients. The vaccine is estimated to have prevented between 96,000 and 120,200 people from being hospitalised.

Who should have a flu vaccine?

Aged 65 years and over

Older people may be more susceptible to the effects of flu. It can increase the risk of developing more serious illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia, or can make existing conditions worse.

Carers

If you provide unpaid care, for example as a family member, close friend or neighbour, for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick, get your free flu vaccine to protect them from serious illness.

You can also have a FREE flu vaccine if you live with someone who has a weakened immune system.

Some long-term health conditions

If you have a medical condition including conditions that affect your breathing, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Heart conditions, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, and problems with your spleen. Some conditions that affect your brain or nerves, such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Diabetes or Addison's disease. A weakened immune system due to a condition such as HIV, or due to a treatment such as chemotherapy or steroid medicine. A learning disability. Being very overweight – a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above.

Check with your GP surgery or specialist if you have a health condition and you're not sure if you're eligible for the flu vaccine.

Health and social care workers

Anyone working in health or social care whose job brings them into contact with patients should have a free flu vaccination to protect the people they care for from the complications they may suffer if they get flu. As well as clinical and nursing staff, this includes estates and facilities staff, admin support staff and additional clinical staff.

Is the flu vaccine safe and what are the side effects?

The injected flu vaccines do not contain live viruses, so cannot give you flu. Instead, they trigger your body's own immune response or defence mechanism to produce antibodies to the vaccine.

Some people get a slightly raised temperature and aching muscles for a couple of days afterwards. This shows your immune system is working to protect against the latest strains of flu and is mild compared to the complications if you get flu.

These vaccines have been rigorously tested, are constantly monitored and we know that the benefits of having the vaccinations far outweigh any risk. We encourage everyone who is eligible to get their flu vaccination as soon as possible.

The flu vaccine is without doubt the best way to protect yourself from the flu virus that can cause serious harm.

Why do I need a flu vaccine every year?

Protection from the flu vaccine goes down with time and the types of flu virus in circulation change so the vaccine is updated each year. This is why it's important to get the flu vaccine every year.

There are different strains of flu virus. Even if the vaccine doesn’t perfectly match a strain it usually provides some protection against it.

What if still have questions?

If you do have questions or concerns about vaccinations, we encourage you to speak to a trusted healthcare professional.

This can be your GP, pharmacist, health visitor or consultant, all of whom can provide evidence-based information.

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