Who should get the flu vaccine?
This year the flu vaccine is being offered on the NHS to:
- adults 65 and over
- people with certain medical conditions
- pregnant women
- children aged 2 and 3 on 31 August 2020
- children in primary school
- children in year 7 (secondary school)
- frontline health or social care workers
Later in the year, the flu vaccine may be given to people aged 50 to 64.
More information will be available later in the autumn.
However, if you're aged 50 to 64 and in an at-risk group, you should not delay having your flu vaccine.
For more information regarding the Flu Vaccine please visit
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/.
Flu Vaccination Side Effects
After the flu vaccination, you may get a mild high temperature and slight muscle aches for a day or so.
Some people may have a sore arm after vaccination. For example, if you're aged 65 or over and having the adjuvanted flu vaccine.
Try these tips to ease the discomfort:
- continue to move your arm regularly; do not let it get stiff
- take a painkiller, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen; some people, including pregnant women, should not take ibuprofen unless a doctor recommends it
Do not give aspirin to children under 16.
For more information please visit
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-vaccine-side-effects/
Annual Seasonal Flu- Press release NHS England
Children's Flu Vaccine
The children's flu vaccine is offered as a yearly nasal spray to young children to help protect them against flu.
Flu can be a very unpleasant illness for children, with potentially serious complications, including bronchitis and pneumonia. Please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine/ for more information regarding the child flu vaccination.
Staying Well This Winter
Cold weather can make some health problems worse and even lead to serious complications, especially if you are 65 or older, or if you have a long-term health condition. Please visit https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/keep-warm-keep-well/ for more information regarding staying well this winter.
Dealing with complaints and early requests for vaccination
We are aware that some services have been experiencing calls and other enquiries from members of the public who have not yet been invited asking for details of how to book their vaccination.
The following text is based on the script of a recorded message which has been added on to the front of 111 calls in some parts of the country, which you may wish to adapt for your organisation.
It is particularly important that call handlers do not refer callers to NHSEI regional teams or the customer contact centre, who are not able to assist with these requests, as doing so risks increasing any frustration that patients may be feeling.
We cannot answer COVID-19 vaccine enquires or manage vaccination bookings on this number.
The NHS is prioritising vaccinating those people who experts have agreed will benefit from it the most. We will let you know when it is your turn to book your vaccination.
In the meantime, you can get information about the COVID-19 Vaccination online at www.nhs.uk/covidvaccination.
Additionally, we have created a specific graphic for use on social media, websites etc which you may wish to deploy.These are available on the Campaign Resource Centre here: https://coronavirusresources.phe.gov.uk/covid-19-vaccine/resources/additional-social/