FLU Campaign 2024
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.
Eligibility for flu vaccination is based on the advice and recommendations of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Based on the evidence that flu vaccine’s effectiveness can wane over time in adults JCVI have advised moving the start of the programme for most adults to the beginning of October.
Who should have the flu vaccine
The flu vaccine is recommended for people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.
It's offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter.
You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:
- are aged 65 or over
- have certain long-term health conditions
- are pregnant
- children aged 2 or 3 on the 31stAugust 2024
- live in a care home
- are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer's allowance
- live with someone who has a weakened immune system
- Frontline health and social care workers (usually given the flu vaccine through their employer)
When you should have the flu vaccine
Most eligible adults will be able to get the flu vaccine from 3 October 2024.
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.
Some people may have their vaccination from September 2024, including if:
- you're pregnant (especially if you're near to your due date) – it's important to get vaccinated before giving birth to help protect yourself and your baby for the first few months of their life
- you're due to have treatment that will weaken your immune system (such as chemotherapy) – the vaccine may be given before treatment starts because it works better if given when your immune system is stronger
Speak to your GP for advice if you think you need to have the vaccine earlier than October and you have not already been invited.
How to get the flu vaccine
If you're eligible for an NHS flu vaccine, you can get your vaccine from:
- your GP surgery
- a pharmacy that offers NHS flu vaccination (if you're aged 18 or over)
Why you should choose to have your flu vaccine at the surgery?
- We are aware of your medical history
- We can also give you any other vaccine that you may be entitled to whilst you are at the surgery to save you further trips to the surgery
- We have already purchased your vaccine prior to the campaign start date
At Bankfield Surgery we are holding flu clinics at our Bankfield Surgery site by appointment only on the following dates;
- Thursday 3rd October
- Friday 4th October
- Saturday 5th October
- Saturday 19th October
You should receive a text invite to book in late August/early September. Please book your vaccine using the link that we text you, alternatively please contact the practice on 01422 374662 to book your vaccines.
Booking a vaccine is quick and easy, it usually takes just a few minutes.
Having the flu vaccine at the same time as other vaccines
You can have the flu vaccine at the same time as other vaccines such as the COVID-19 vaccine and shingles vaccine.
How well the flu vaccine works and how long it lasts
The flu vaccine aims to protect you against the most common types of flu viruses.
There's still a chance you might get flu after getting vaccinated, but it's likely to be milder and not last as long.
The vaccine usually takes up to 14 days to work.
Protection from the flu vaccine goes down with time and the types of flu virus the vaccine protects against are updated each year. This is why it's important to get the flu vaccine every year.
For more information on the flu vaccine please check The NHS Website.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
We will be following NHSE guidance regarding the administration of Autumn COVID booster vaccinations and where available, we will offer these at the same time.