Flu vaccine: Dr Hilary warns of ‘logistical challenge’ on GMB
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A staggering 35 million people will be offered the flu vaccine this year, the Government has announced, with more younger people than ever before to be offered the jab. So who is eligible for the flu vaccine? And what are the UK’s flu vaccine dates in 2021?
This year, the UK Government has announced the “biggest flu vaccination programme in UK history”, giving the flu vaccine to more than 35 million people.
Secondary school students up to Year 11 will be given the flu jab for the first time.
Last year, four in five over-65s had their flu vaccine in England.
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “The phenomenal scale of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is a clear demonstration of the positive impact vaccination can make and I encourage all those eligible to get their flu jab when called forward.”
Why is the flu jab so important?
The flu can make people seriously ill. Each year the flu kills 11,000 people on average and hospitalises thousands more.
If you’re wondering the reasons why you’re being encouraged to get a flu vaccine, here are the key benefits:
- Get the best protection against flu
- Means if you do contract the flu, your symptoms will be milder
- Helps protect people around you
- Helps to prevent you from being seriously ill if you get coronavirus at the same time
Who will get the flu jab this year?
Flu season will take place from September 2021 to the end of January 2022. During this time, NHS flu jabs will be available to:
- Children aged two to three on 31 August 2021
- All school-age children up to Year 11s
- Anyone ‘high risk’ aged between six months and 50
- Pregnant women
- Over-50s (including if you are 50 by 31 March 2021)
- Unpaid carers
- Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
- Frontline health and adult social care staff
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Where can I get my flu jab in the UK?
You can use the NHS online service to find a pharmacy near you offering the flu vaccine.
You can also have the NHS flu vaccine at:
- Your GP surgery
- Your midwifery service if you’re pregnant
- A hospital appointment
If you aren’t eligible for an NHS flu jab, you can pay to get a private flu jab. Lloyds Pharmacy offers this service for £14.99.
When can I get the flu jab?
The best time to get the jab is in the Autumn – September and October – before the flu virus starts spreading widely.
After getting the jab, it takes about 10 to 14 days for you to be protected from the virus.
The full jab roll-out is expected from this month, but Boots are already taking bookings for the over-65s.
You can register your interest on Boots’ online service.
If you’re eligible, you should receive a letter or email asking you to book your jab.
If you don’t receive anything and believe you should be jabbed, call your GP or pharmacy to check.
What are the flu jab side effects?
The side effects of the flu jab tend to be mild and should only last for a day or so. The most common side effects are:
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Sore arm
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