Why get a flu vaccine With COVID-19 still in circulation, it's more important than ever to get vaccinated against the flu. People vulnerable to flu are also at risk of complications from COVID-19.
A high uptake of the flu vaccine will help:
improve the general respiratory health of all islanders reduce the pressure on the health service and allow the better delivery of care for all islanders The flu vaccine won’t protect you from COVID-19, but it will help protect you against flu.
The flu vaccine is free for clinical risk groups For some groups of people, catching flu can be serious. That's why, people in the following risk groups are recommended to have the flu vaccine every year. The flu vaccine is offered free of charge to people considered at risk:
infants 6 months to 2 years of age in a clinical risk group all children aged 2, 3 and 4 years school aged children reception up to year 11 16 to 50 years in clinical risk group people aged 50 and over pregnant women households of those on the shielded patient list or of immunocompromised individuals home carers care home and domiciliary staff frontline health and community services staff People in these groups are more likely to have a bad case of flu or to develop a serious complication (such as pneumonia) and may need a stay in hospital.
If you’re eligible for your COVID-19 autumn booster, you can receive your flu vaccine and booster together at Fort Regent. Book your
autumn booster dose
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When it's available The flu vaccine is available annually. The best time to have the flu vaccine is before the start of the flu season. It’s important to be patient with the GPs, nurses and pharmacists who are administering the vaccine. Don't jump the queue, you'll be seen.
We have enough stock of the flu vaccine for all at risk groups.
Types of flu vaccine available
All flu vaccines are designed to protect against the strains of flu expected to be circulating in the following winter.
Nasal vaccine for children
The nasal flu vaccine can't be given to children under two years. For children aged 6 months up to 2 years there is only the injected flu vaccine available.
There is no flu vaccine for children under 6 months of age. This is why all pregnant women should have the flu vaccine to protect themselves and their baby during their first few months of life.
Injection for adults
For adults the flu vaccine is given as an injection into the upper arm (the nasal flu vaccine cannot be used as it is not licensed for use in adults).
The brand of flu injection given to adults may vary depending on a person's age. This is because some flu vaccines are designed to be effective for specific age groups.
The doctor, nurse or pharmacist may ask you your age to ensure they use the most effective vaccine for your age group. Tell them if you are aged 65 or over.
Children recommended to have the flu vaccine Children who have a long-term medical condition aged 6 months up to 2 years
GP surgery Free Pre-school children(2, 3 and 4 year olds) Nasal vaccine is offered at nursery settings and GP surgeries during October and November. Check with your nursery when the nasal vaccinations will be given in nursery Free School age children in Reception and years one to 11 Nasal vaccine will be offered in schools during October and November Free Young people who have a long term medical condition in the age range of year groups 12 and 13 GP surgery or pharmacy Free
GP's will be offering the nasal vaccine on a first come first served basis for those aged 2 to 4 years old. We recommend you take up the offer of vaccination while stocks are available. You'll not be charged for the visit.
Annual nasal flu vaccine for children
Adults recommended to have the flu vaccine Pregnant women Pharmacy or GP surgery Free Aged 50 or over Pharmacy or GP surgery
Flu vaccine can be given at the same time as pneumococcal (at age 65) or shingles vaccine (at age 70)
Free Aged 16 to 65 with a long-term medical condition Pharmacy or GP surgery Free
Annual flu vaccine for pregnant women
Annual Flu vaccine: adults with long-term medical conditions
Flu on NHS Choices website
If you're not in a clinical risk group If you're not in one of the clinical risk groups, you can still have the flu vaccine privately. Ask your GP surgery or local pharmacy how much this will cost you.
Symptoms of flu Some of the main symptoms of flu include:
a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above a dry, chesty cough general aches and pains a headache tiredness and weakness Most people will feel better within a week.
Ring your GP for advice if you think you have flu, particularly if you're pregnant or have a long-term medical condition.
Difference between flu symptoms and COVID-19 A high uptake of the flu vaccine will help to reduce confusion over symptoms relating to the flu virus and COVID-19. There is some overlap between the symptoms of flu and COVID, so vaccination is important.
Flu symptoms usually tend to come on suddenly whereas COVID symptoms usually come on more slowly.
If you're unsure about whether you have COVID or not, self-isolate and contact the helpline on freephone
0800 735 5566 to get tested.
Find out more about coronavirus
NHS choices on the NHS website
How to reduce your risk of catching flu Flu is very infectious and the virus can live on hands and hard surfaces for up to 24 hours. So it's important to keep surfaces and frequently touched objects clean. Examples of these are door handles, children’s toys, your keyboard and remote controls.
This is why it's important to “Catch it, Bin it, Kill it”:
“Catch” any sneezes in a tissue “Bin” any tissues immediately “Kill” the virus by washing your hands with soap and warm water Avoid contact with sick people and wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub.
If you're unwell, look after yourself, drink plenty of fluids and stay at home so you don’t spread flu to others.
The vaccine remains the best defence we have to protect against the spread of flu.
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