Age UK urges older people to get their flu jab

This year, experts think that there may well be more flu and other respiratory viruses around. We need to do all we can to protect ourselves and others this winter.

Flu is a seasonal illness which is usually at its most prevalent from October to March each year.

Flu is much more than a nasty cold. In England, flu caused over 1700 admissions to hospital in people aged 65 and over in 2018-19.

As we age, our immune system weakens meaning our body is less able to fight off illnesses. This happens even if we are fit and healthy.

The best way to protect yourself and others against the flu is with to get the flu vaccine. Antibiotics and other medication won’t help to prevent you from getting it.

There are different flu strains and so each year the vaccine is created to protect against the most prevalent strain. This is why you should get a new vaccine each year. Flu is more likely to be in circulation this year as there were few flu cases last season. This means there is less immunity against last year’s strains in the population and they could continue circulating this year along with the new strains.

As social activity in the UK is back at normal levels (or near normal), experts anticipate there will be a resurgence of flu, COVID-19 and potentially other viruses such as RSV and norovirus this winter. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the low levels of influenza virus circulation globally during the past two flu seasons, predictions for the 2022/23 influenza season are more uncertain than in previous years. The flu activity in the southern hemisphere was considered as part of the decision to expand the flu vaccination programme for the 22/23 flu season.

Don’t believe everything you see or hear – there are a lot of myths around the flu vaccine. Check the facts here.

Who should get the flu vaccine?

The following groups can get a flu vaccine for free from their GP, Pharmacy, or other healthcare professional:

• Are 65 and over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2023)
• Aged 50 years old or over (including those who will be 50 years old by 31 March 2023) can have a free NHS flu vaccine. This is so at-risk groups can be offered vaccination first.
• 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 a severe infection due to a weakened immune system, such as someone living with HIV, someone who has had a transplant, or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
• Are frontline health workers
• Are social care workers who cannot get the vaccine through an occupational health scheme at work