Help us help you – protect against flu

Public health officials in Nottinghamshire are reminding eligible people of all ages to get the annual flu vaccination. The flu can be a serious disease, especially for vulnerable people or those with underlying health conditions.

Flu vaccination is important because:

we are expecting more people to get flu this winter because less of us will have built up natural immunity to it during the COVID-19 pandemic
research shows you're more likely to be seriously ill if you get flu and COVID-19 at the same time
getting vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 will provide protection for you and those around you for both these serious illnesses.

If you've had COVID-19, it's safe to have the flu vaccine. It will still be effective at helping to prevent flu. Some people may be eligible for both the flu vaccination and a COVID-19 booster. If you are offered both vaccines, it’s safe to have them at the same time.

The flu vaccination programme offers free flu vaccinations to:

People aged 50 and over (including those who turn 50 by 31 March 2023 - offered later in the flu season)
Anyone aged 6 months to under 65 years and have long-term medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or lung disease
Pregnant women
Children aged 2 -3 years
All school children up to year 9 (and years 10 and 11 depending on vaccine availability)
People in long stay residential care
People who receive a carer's allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk
People who live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)

Flu vaccines will also be offered to frontline health and care staff, including those who work for the County Council.

You can have your flu vaccination at your GP surgery, a pharmacy offering the service or your midwifery service if you’re pregnant or at some hospital appointments.

Further information on the flu vaccination for pregnant women, children and carers is available in the sections below.

Having a flu jab will help to protect you and your baby. Pregnant women have a higher chance of developing complications if they get flu, especially in the later stages of pregnancy, which could cause serious illness in the mother and affect the baby.

It’s safe to have the vaccination at any stage of pregnancy and it will also pass some protection to the baby which will last for the first few months of their lives.

For more information on the flu jab in pregnancy, visit the NHS webpage and watch the below video animation.

This animation was developed by Dr Jo Parsons as part of a PhD at Coventry University, working in partnership with Warwickshire County Council and Coventry City Council.

2 and 3-year-old children are entitled to the free flu nasal spray. Contact your local GP to find out more.

This year the spray is also being offered to children in school from reception to year nine (years ten and eleven, subject to vaccine availability).

To find out more about the nasal spray for children, including advice for parents and information for faith groups, visit the NHS children's flu vaccine page.

The vaccine does contain small traces of pork gelatine. If this is not suitable you can request an injectable vaccine instead.

For more information on the children's flu vaccine, visit the NHS webpage

The flu fatwa [Word] for this season has now been agreed with the Muslim council.

When you’re caring for a partner, relative or friend who couldn’t get by without your help, keeping yourself well is really important.

That's why unpaid carers are offered a free NHS flu jab if they’re the main carer of an older or disabled person whose welfare would be at risk if they were ill. This includes people who receive Carers Allowance.

Get the jab

If you fall into one of the at-risk categories, you can get the flu jab for free on the NHS from your local GP or community pharmacy (who can vaccinate adults but not children).

High street chemists and most of the leading supermarkets also offer the vaccination to any adult at varying costs.

The flu virus changes every year which means the flu (and the vaccine) may be different from last year. It is important for those who are eligible for the flu vaccine to have it every year. By getting the flu jab you will be protecting yourself, your friends and family and the NHS. This will be critical to help prevent people becoming ill while COVID-19 is still in circulation.

For information about the flu vaccination in British Sign Language please watch this video: