Seasonal Flu Vaccine

Family Health

The flu vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine. It's offered every year on the NHS to help protect people at risk of getting seriously ill from flu. The best time to have the flu vaccine is in the autumn or early winter before flu starts spreading. But you can get the vaccine later.

Flu vaccine and coronavirus (COVID-19)

Flu vaccination is important because:

  • more people are likely to get flu this winter as fewer people will have built up natural immunity to it during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • if you get flu and COVID-19 at the same time, research shows you're more likely to be seriously ill
  • getting vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 will provide protection for you and those around you for both these serious illnesses

If you've had COVID-19, it's safe to have the flu vaccine. It will still be effective at helping to prevent flu.

Who can have the flu vaccine?

The flu vaccine is given free on the NHS to people who:

  • are 50 and over (including those who'll be 50 by 31 March 2022)
  • have certain health conditions
  • are pregnant
  • are in long-stay residential care
  • receive a carer's allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
  • live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)
  • frontline health or social care workers

Where to get the flu vaccine

You can have the NHS flu vaccine at:

  • your GP surgery
  • a pharmacy offering the service
  • your midwifery service if you're pregnant
  • a hospital appointment

If you do not have your flu vaccine at your GP surgery, you do not have to tell the surgery. This will be done for you.

Who should not have the flu vaccine

Most adults can have the flu vaccine, but you should avoid it if you have had a serious allergic reaction to a flu vaccine in the past.

You may be at risk of an allergic reaction to the flu vaccine injection if you have an egg allergy. This is because some flu vaccines are made using eggs.

Ask a GP or pharmacist for a low-egg or egg-free vaccine. If you're ill with a high temperature, it's best to wait until you're better before having the flu vaccine.

How effective is the flu vaccine?

The flu vaccine gives the best protection against flu. Flu vaccines help protect against the main types of flu viruses, although there's still a chance you might get flu.

If you do get flu after vaccination, it's likely to be milder and not last as long. Having the flu vaccine will also stop you spreading flu to other people who may be more at risk of serious problems from flu. It can take 10 to 14 days for the flu vaccine to work.

Click here for more information about the flu vaccine.

Family Health Useful Resources

This scheme applies to all eligible teachers to provide leave to care for their child or...
This scheme applies to teachers who adopt a child from within the UK or overseas (subject...
This scheme applies to all teachers to provide leave to care for their child or support...
This document explains entitlement to parental leave. To view the document, click the...
This document explains how statutory annual leave entitlement is to apply when a teacher...
Seeking Solutions offers children and young people help and support to deal with problems...
The Sustaining Healthy Relationships project is a new and innovative venture for Relate...
We’ve gathered useful advice, information and help for young people aged 8-25 and those...
Get help finding missing relatives abroad through our international family tracing...
Are you experiencing changes in your relationship because of a brain tumour? If you, your...
One At A Time Therapy is a single session of relationship counselling support, which can...
The Engage service provides a family therapy programme available to professionals working...
Relate Kids can help primary school-aged children, usually up to age 11, to deal with...
This is delivered to expectant mothers & parents of babies under 3 years of age. It...
Steps to Cope has been developed specifically for young people who have experienced...
Relationship support can be helpful for Individuals who have concerns or difficulties...
Our Wellness Service uses 1-1 Wellness Recovery Action plans (WRAP) to support new and...
We understand that a diagnosis of a chest or heart condition, or suffering a heart attack...
Speakeasy is a Public Health Agency funded, community based teaching programme for...
55% of Young People in NI are looking to Social Media for the information they need to...
The Parenting Apart Programme is aimed at parents who have separated, are separating,...
Positive Minds for Premature Parents supports families of premature babies to develop and...
Even the most loving relationships will experience stress from time to time. But by...
This 50 minute session is an accessible way for couples to check in with each other, and...
Fun, fast food for less. This is a practical six-week nutrition programme aimed at...
The British Red Cross home care services will provide you with the support and care to...
Relate Teen can help post-primary school-aged children, usually aged 11 and over, to deal...
Mood Matters Young People programme is aimed at 14-18 year olds and gives them knowledge...
The Engage service provides a family therapy programme available to professionals working...
Family relationship support can be helpful for supporting relationships within the family...
In Ctrl is a group work programme for children and young people that aims to help them...
Just Ask is a unique Relationships and Sexuality Education programme working specifically...
Relationship support can be helpful for couples who have concerns or difficulties arising...
The project aims to meet the maternal mental health needs at this perinatal stage and...
Relationship counselling is an effective form of relationship maintenance, particularly...
First aid advice
Support hub for mothers
Pregnancy and guidance for after birth
Our free Easy Meals app is a great way to eat foods that are healthier for you. You’ll...
Nutrition scanner
Music timer for brushing teeth
Baby and child first aid

Family Health Helplines & Web Chats

NSPCC - Helpline
Family Lives - Forum
ParentLine NI
ParentLine NI
Family Lives Forum