Franco and Alicia need you: get your flu jab
This year more people can get their jab for free. Those aged 50 to 64 with an existing health condition will be offered the jab by their GP, and if you live with someone who's at high risk from coronavirus your GP will also offer you the jab.
Other people aged 50 to 65 will be contacted later.
More children and young people are able to get the vaccine, too.
Get the jab even if you’re not offered it for free
Even if you can’t get it for free, you should seriously consider getting your jab. Flu does kill, and like COVID, it doesn’t only infect vulnerable people. Getting both seasonal flu and COVID could be fatal: research suggests you’re more likely to be seriously ill.
Yes, the jab safe and no, it won’t give you flu
Remember, the jab is entirely safe, it can take between 10 days and two weeks to start working, and it absolutely does not give you flu (no matter what your neighbour’s cousin’s friend’s wife says).
You will help protect yourself, the people you love, and anyone else you spend time with. And you’ll help us look after the people who really need us this winter, too. For that we thank you.
Free vaccines
You can get the jab for free if you:
- are 65 and over (including those who'll be 65 by 31 March 2021)
- have certain health conditions
- are pregnant
- are in a 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's at high risk from coronavirus (on the NHS shielded patient list)
- frontline health or social care worker
- additionally, more children and young people can get the jab