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Flu and the flu vaccine

Flu is a highly infectious illness that spreads rapidly through the coughs and sneezes of

people who are carrying the virus.

If you're at risk of complications from flu, make sure you have your annual flu vaccine available from

September onwards.Who should have the jab?

You are eligible for an NHS flu vaccination if you are in an at!risk group.

"ind out if you should have the flu #ab

$here are two types of flu vaccine% "ind out about the in#ected flu vaccine for adults and children under!two. "ind out about the nasal spray flu vaccine for children over the age of two.

The effects of flu

"lu symptoms can hit &uite suddenly and severely. $hey usually include fever, chills, headaches andaching muscles. You can often get a cough and sore throat.

ecause flu is caused by a virus and not bacteria, antibiotics won't treat it.

(nyone can get flu, but it can be more serious for certain people, such as%

people aged )* or over

people who have a serious medical condition

pregnant women

If you are in one of these groups, you're more vulnerable to the effects of flu +even if you're fit and

healthy and could develop flu complications , which are more serious illnesses suchas bronchitis and pneumonia , which could result in hospitalisation.

"lu can also make e-isting medical conditions worse.

ead more about flu.Should you have the flu jab?

See your /0 about the flu #ab if you1re )* or over, or if you have any of the following problems

+however old you are %

a serious heart complaint

a chest complaint or breathing difficulties, including asthma, bronchitis and emphysema serious kidney disease

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/who-should-have-flu-vaccine.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/flu-influenza-vaccine.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/child-flu-vaccine.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/child-flu-vaccine.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Flu/Pages/Symptoms.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Flu/Pages/Complications.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Bronchitis/Pages/Introduction.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Pneumonia/Pages/Introduction.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Flu/Pages/Introduction.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Flu/Pages/Introduction.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Asthma/Pages/Introduction.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Bronchitis/Pages/Introduction.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Kidney-disease-chronic/Pages/Introduction.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/who-should-have-flu-vaccine.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/flu-influenza-vaccine.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/child-flu-vaccine.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Flu/Pages/Symptoms.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Flu/Pages/Complications.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Bronchitis/Pages/Introduction.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Pneumonia/Pages/Introduction.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Flu/Pages/Introduction.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Asthma/Pages/Introduction.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Bronchitis/Pages/Introduction.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Kidney-disease-chronic/Pages/Introduction.aspx

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diabetes lowered immunity due to disease or treatment such as steroid medication

or cancer treatment if you have had a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack +$I(

if you have a problem with your spleen or you have had your spleen removed

Your /0 may advise you to have a flu #ab if you have serious liver disease, multiple sclerosis

+2S or some other diseases of the nervous system.

Can I get a flu jab privately?

Yes, you can pay for the flu vaccination privately if you1re unable to have it on the NHS. It is available from some

pharmacies and /0s on a private patient basis.regnant wo!en and the flu jab

If you're pregnant, you should have the flu #ab, regardless of the stage of pregnancy you've reached.

0regnant women are more prone to complications from flu that can cause serious illness for both

mother and baby.

If you are pregnant and catch flu, talk to your /0 urgently as you may need treatment with antiviral

medicine.

ead more about the flu #ab in pregnancy .Children and the flu vaccine

$he flu vaccine for children is a nasal spray and is available each year on the NHS for two and three

year olds.

In some parts of the country, pre!school and primary school children between the ages of four and

34 may also be offered the vaccine.

5ver time, as the programme rolls out, all children between the ages of two and 3) will be vaccinated

against flu each year with the nasal spray.

6hildren with a long!term health condition should also have a flu vaccination because their illness

could get worse if they catch flu. $his includes any child over the age of si- months of age with a long!

term health problem such as a serious respiratory or neurological condition.

If you have a child with a long!term condition, speak to your /0 about whether they should have the

flu vaccination. Some children with a long!term health condition may be advised to have the flu

vaccine in#ection rather than the nasal spray.Carers and the flu jab

If you1re the carer of an elderly or disabled person, make sure they1ve had their flu #ab. (s a carer, you

could be eligible for a flu #ab too. (sk your /0 for advice, or read our information about "lu #abs for

carers ."ow the flu vaccine wor#s

$he in#ected flu vaccine contains inactivated strains of the flu virus and therefore cannot cause flu. $he

flu virus in the vaccine is often grown on fertilised hens1 eggs although egg!free flu vaccine may

be available for people with egg allergy.

$he vaccine contains live, but weakened, forms of flu virus which do not cause flu in those vaccinated.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Diabetes/Pages/Diabetes.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Chemotherapy/Pages/Definition.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Stroke/Pages/Introduction.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Transient-ischaemic-attack/Pages/Introduction.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Multiple-sclerosis/Pages/Introduction.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Multiple-sclerosis/Pages/Introduction.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Multiple-sclerosis/Pages/Introduction.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/Pages/flu-jab-vaccine-pregnant.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/Pages/flu-jab-vaccine-pregnant.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/Pages/flu-jab-vaccine-pregnant.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/child-flu-vaccine.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/carersdirect/yourself/takingcareofyourself/pages/flujabsforcarers.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/carersdirect/yourself/takingcareofyourself/pages/flujabsforcarers.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/carersdirect/yourself/takingcareofyourself/pages/flujabsforcarers.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Diabetes/Pages/Diabetes.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Chemotherapy/Pages/Definition.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Stroke/Pages/Introduction.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Transient-ischaemic-attack/Pages/Introduction.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Multiple-sclerosis/Pages/Introduction.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Multiple-sclerosis/Pages/Introduction.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/Pages/flu-jab-vaccine-pregnant.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/child-flu-vaccine.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/carersdirect/yourself/takingcareofyourself/pages/flujabsforcarers.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/carersdirect/yourself/takingcareofyourself/pages/flujabsforcarers.aspx

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$he nasal spray flu vaccine for children contains live, but weakened forms of flu virus which do not

cause flu in those vaccinated. (gain, the flu virus in the vaccine is grown on fertilised hens' eggs so

children with a known egg allergy should be given an alternative vaccine

ead more about how the flu #ab works and flu vaccine ingredients.

ead more about how the children's flu nasal vaccine works ."ow to get the flu jab

If you think you need a flu vaccination, check with your /0, practice nurse or your local pharmacist.

$he best time of the year to have a flu vaccination is in the autumn from the beginning of 5ctober to

early November. 2ost /0 surgeries arrange flu vaccination clinics around this time. It1s free and it's

effective against the latest flu virus strains.

7ven if you've already had a flu #ab in previous years, you need another one each year. $he flu #ab

may only protect you for a year. $his is because the viruses that cause flu are always changing.The pneu!o jab

8hen you see your /0 for a flu #ab, ask whether you also need the pneumo #ab to protect you

against some forms of pneumococcal infection. 9ike the flu #ab, it1s available free on the NHS to

everyone aged )* or over, and for younger people with some serious medical conditions."ow effective is the flu jab?

No vaccine is 344: effective, however, people who have had the flu #ab are less likely to get flu. If you

do get flu despite having the #ab, it will probably be milder than if you haven1t been vaccinated.

$he flu #ab doesn1t cause flu as it doesn1t contain live viruses. However, you may e-perience side

effects after having the #ab, such as a temperature and aching muscles for a couple of days

afterwards. Your arm may feel sore at the site where you were in#ected. 2ore severe reactions

are rare.

$he flu vaccine only protects against flu, but not other illnesses caused by other viruses, such as

the common cold .Who shouldn$t have the flu jab?

You shouldn't have the flu vaccination if%

you've had a serious reaction to a flu vaccination before

you have a high temperature +postpone it until you're better

Not all flu vaccines are suitable for children, so discuss this with your /0 beforehand.

Speak to your /0, practice nurse or pharmacist if you have any further &uestions.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/how-flu-vaccine-works.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/how-flu-vaccine-works.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/child-flu-vaccine.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/child-flu-vaccine.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/flu-influenza-vaccine.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pneumococcal-immunisation/Pages/Introduction-OLD.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pneumococcal-immunisation/Pages/Introduction-OLD.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Cold-common/Pages/Introduction.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Cold-common/Pages/Introduction.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/how-flu-vaccine-works.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/how-flu-vaccine-works.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/child-flu-vaccine.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/flu-influenza-vaccine.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pneumococcal-immunisation/Pages/Introduction-OLD.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Cold-common/Pages/Introduction.aspx