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Influenza (flu) is an infectious virus and can be serious. Symptoms may include a fever, a cough, a headache and tiredness. The virus spreads through the air when people cough or sneeze, or when they touch surfaces where the virus has landed then touch their eyes, nose or mouth. You can catch flu all year round, but it’s especially common in winter. It can be serious, even if you’re healthy.
Even healthy people can become seriously ill from flu. It can lead to complications that may result in hospitalisation or even death.
This year’s flu vaccine gives you the best possible protection against the flu viruses likely to be circulating this season. The vaccine protects people around you who are more at risk of serious flu illness, like babies and young children, older people and people with health conditions.
Flu vaccines help protect against the main types of flu viruses. It works by teaching your body’s immune system how to protect itself from flu.
You have to get vaccinated every year because flu viruses are constantly changing. A different vaccine is made every year to ensure the best protection against flu.
The flu vaccine will be given as an injection in the upper arm.
You only need one dose of the flu vaccine each flu season. It takes around 10 days for the vaccine to work, so you should get the vaccine when you are offered it.
The flu vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine.
All medicines (including vaccines) are tested for safety and effectiveness before they’re allowed to be used.
Once they’re in use, the safety of vaccines continues to be monitored by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
More information on the vaccines, including the ingredients:
It’s normal to experience side effects after the vaccine. It shows the vaccine is teaching your body’s immune system how to protect itself from the disease, however, not everyone gets them.
Read about the side effects of the flu vaccine
Most adults can have the flu vaccine, but you should avoid it if you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to a flu vaccine in the past, or if you are allergic to any of the vaccine ingredients.
You may be at risk of an allergic reaction to the flu vaccine if you have an egg allergy. This is because some flu vaccines are made using eggs. It’s important that you tell the person giving you your vaccine if you have an egg allergy or if you’ve ever had a serious allergic reaction to a flu vaccine.
You’ll be offered the flu vaccine this year if you’re:
If you’re an eligible health or social care worker, you can drop in at any winter vaccine clinic to get vaccinated. You don’t need an appointment.
NHS Scotland recommends you get the vaccine as soon as it’s offered to you.
People with certain health conditions are at greater risk from flu.
Congenital heart disease, hypertension with cardiac complications, chronic heart failure, individuals requiring regular medication and/or follow-up for ischaemic heart disease. This includes individuals with atrial fibrillation, peripheral vascular disease or a history of venous thromboembolism.
Chronic kidney disease at stage 3, 4 or 5, chronic kidney failure, nephrotic syndrome, kidney transplantation.
Cirrhosis, biliary atresia, chronic hepatitis.
Type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes requiring insulin or oral hypoglycaemic drugs, diet-controlled diabetes. Addison’s disease, secondary or tertiary adrenal insufficiency requiring steroid replacement.
Weakened immune system due to disease or treatment, including patients who:
Individuals who are receiving immunosuppressive or immunomodulating biological therapy including, but not limited to:
Patients receiving protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors, and individuals treated with steroid sparing agents such as cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate mofetil.
This also includes conditions such as homozygous sickle cell disease, hereditary spherocytosis, thalassemia major and coeliac syndrome that may lead to splenic dysfunction.
Adults with a Body Mass Index ≥ 40 kg/m².
At any stage of pregnancy (first, second or third trimesters).
If you feel your condition or medication does not appear on the list, please talk to the clinician that manages your condition. They may be able to refer you to your NHS Board for vaccination if appropriate.
Anyone undergoing chemotherapy treatment or on medication that reduces their immunity is at higher risk and should get immunised.
If you’re under 18 years old and have an eligible health condition (or care for someone who does) you should also get the vaccine.
Last updated:
04 August 2023