From Public Health Wales
Who should have a flu vaccine?
Flu vaccine is recommended and free of charge on the NHS to the following groups of people:
Individuals from 6 months of age with one (or more) long term health condition, including:
- Chest problems (including moderate to severe asthma)
- Diabetes (including diet controlled)
- Heart problems
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Neurological disease
- Stroke or mini stroke
- Suppressed immune system (maybe due to cancer treatment)
- No spleen (or a spleen that doesn’t work very well)
Other people who should have a flu vaccine every year include:
- Children aged 2 to 10 years of age visit Beat Flu - Children for more information
- Adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or more (morbidly obese)
- Pregnant women visit Pregnancy & Flu Vaccine Guide for more information
- Individuals aged 65 years or over (those aged 65 or above on 31 March 2019 can have a free flu vaccine i.e. born on or before 31 March 1954)
- People who live in a care home
- Carers of a person whose health or welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill
- People who work in an adult care home
In 2021 everyone from 50 upwards plus all children from 2 upwards will be included in the Welsh NHS flu programme.
Frontline healthcare workers, this includes people who provide frequent care on a voluntary basis, members of voluntary organisations providing planned emergency first aid and Community First Responders. Healthcare workers should be offered a flu vaccine by their employer.