Your Health Barnet blog

Flu is a viral infection that affects the nose, throat, and lungs, especially during the colder winter months. 

It’s far more serious than a common cold. While colds develop gradually and rarely cause fever or body aches, flu symptoms appear suddenly and often include high fever, body aches, and extreme tiredness. 

Last winter, flu was associated with around 8,000 deaths in the UK - more than double the previous year’s total of 3,500, though lower than the 16,000 deaths recorded during the 2022–23 season. 

• Flu is not just a heavy cold. It comes on suddenly, with symptoms like high fever, body aches, and extreme tiredness. You’re likely to spend several days in bed feeling very unwell.
• Flu can lead to serious illness. Some people are hospitalised each year because of complications.
• If you’re eligible for the free flu vaccine under the NHS, you’re at greater risk. This includes older adults, people with long-term health conditions, those pregnant, and frontline health and social care workers.
• The flu vaccine is very safe. It cannot give you flu. You might have a sore arm or a slight temperature afterwards - these are normal signs that your body is building protection.
• The vaccine works by training your immune system. It helps your body produce antibodies that fight the flu virus if you’re exposed later.
• It takes up to two weeks for the vaccine to become effective. Get vaccinated as early as possible to stay protected throughout flu season.
• You need a flu vaccine every year. Flu strains change annually, so new vaccines are developed to combat the circulating viruses.
• Those pregnant can get vaccinated at any stage of pregnancy. It protects both you and your baby - during pregnancy and in the first few months after birth.
• Your vaccination protects others too. By getting vaccinated, you help shield elderly relatives, people with long-term conditions, and your wider community. 

Who is eligible for a free flu vaccine? 

The following groups are eligible for free flu vaccinations under the NHS: 

• everyone aged 65 years and over 
• those aged between 6 months and 65 years old, with certain medical conditions 
• those living with people who are immunocompromised
• frontline health and social care workers
• all pregnant women, to protect both themselves, their pregnancy and their newborn baby 
• all children aged 2 and 3 years  
• school-aged children (Reception to Year 11) who are offered a nasal spray vaccine. 

 When and where to get vaccinated 

• Contact your GP practice to book an appointment
• Book via the NHS app, https://www.nhs.uk/bookflu, or call 119
• For school-aged children (Reception to Year 11), contact your local school immunisation teams. 

 Dual protection: flu and COVID-19 

If eligible, you may be offered both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same appointment, saving time and boosting protection. 

For more information on the flu vaccine, visit: Flu vaccine - NHS