This year, with COVID-19 in circulation, it’s more important than ever that you're vaccinated to protect yourself from flu. You can get the flu vaccination for free if you fall under an eligible category.
The following people meet the criteria for a free flu vaccination:
- pregnant women
- children aged 2 to 11 years old
- members of a shielding household
- people aged 65 years or older
- people who are in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or who are the main carer of an older or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill
- people with a long-term health condition such as:
- heart problems
- chest complaints or breathing difficulties, including bronchitis, emphysema, or asthma (that requires an inhaled or tablet steroid treatment, or has led to hospital admission in the past)
- kidney disease
- lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as steroid medication or cancer treatment)
- liver disease
- previous stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
- diabetes
- neurological condition, for example multiple sclerosis (MS) or cerebral palsy
- a learning disability
- problems with your spleen, for example sickle cell disease, or you've had your spleen removed
- are seriously overweight (BMI of 40 and above)
- frontline health and social care workers should also be vaccinated