Flu vaccine: Book yours now!

It is more important than ever for the over 65s to have a flu vaccine this year. Flu caused over 1700 admissions to hospital in people aged 65 and over in 2018-19 and can have a severe impact on the health of older people, particularly people living with existing health conditions. And the extra threat of coronaviru, makes it all the more important to book the appointment.

Please contact your GP or pharmacy for an appointment - anyone who fits the below criteria can get their flu vaccine for free.

• people aged 65 years or over (including those becoming age 65 years by 31 March 2021)
• those aged from six months to less than 65 years of age, in a clinical risk group such as those with:
  
  • chronic (long-term) respiratory disease, such as severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchitis
  • chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
  • chronic kidney disease at stage three, four or five
  • chronic liver disease
  • chronic neurological disease, such as Parkinson’s disease or motor neurone disease,
  • learning disability
  • diabetes
  • splenic dysfunction or asplenia
  • a weakened immune system due to disease (such as HIV/AIDS) or treatment (such as cancer treatment)
  • morbidly obese (defined as BMI of 40 and above)
• all pregnant women (including those women who become pregnant during the flu season)
• people who live in the same household as people who were asked to shield by their GP or clinician during the Coronavirus pandemic, or of immunocompromised individuals*
• people living in long-stay residential care homes or other long-stay care facilities
• those 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