People who have a higher risk of getting flu can get a free NHS vaccine once a year.
Injection
Children aged six months to two years who are at risk of getting flu can be given the flu vaccine as an injection.
People 18 years or older who have a risk of getting flu can also be given a vaccine injection.
Nasal Spray
Children aged two to 18 years who are at risk of getting flu can be given the flu vaccine as a nasal spray.
Healthy children aged two, three and four are given the flu vaccine as a nasal spray.
The flu vaccine cannot give you flu, but the vaccine can give you some side effects
Slight temperature
Aching muscles
Sore arm where you were injected
The vaccine is available every year from October, so try and get yours in early Autumn. Don’t worry if you forget, you can have it done in winter, but the sooner you get it done, the better.
The vaccine prevents people from getting flu, but it’s not 100% guaranteed to work. Its effectiveness can vary from person to person. If you do get flu after you’ve had the vaccine, it will probably be milder than if you hadn’t have had the jab.
A new flu vaccine is produced every year so it is important that you have a new jab every year too. These BSL health clips were made by SignHealth with help and information from the NHS. For more information or advice, visit NHS Choices Flu page
