Flu vaccinations - making a point about protection from viruses this winter
The free flu vaccine is being offered to a record number of people to help protect them as well as ease pressure on the NHS and urgent care services.
A new series of video animations explains more about flu and how getting the vaccination can help to protect you and those around you. Local volunteers have helped the Bristol, North Somerset and South Glos Clinical Commissioning Group and Community Access Support Service Bristol record the video in 12 languages to encourage the message about the importance of the flu vaccine to reach all parts of the community.
How to get the flu vaccine
Ask your pharmacist or GP if you’re eligible for a free flu vaccine. If your child is at school and aged 4-11-year-old make sure you sign and return the consent form.
Changes have been made to make sure it's safe for you to have the flu vaccine at GP surgeries and pharmacies. These changes include social distancing, hand washing and wearing protective equipment.
Adult flu vaccine
The flu vaccine is given to people who:
- are 65 and over (including those who'll be 65 by 31 March 2021)
- have certain health conditions
- are pregnant
- are in a 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's at high risk from coronavirus (on the NHS shielded patient list)
- frontline health or social care workers
If you're aged 50 to 64 and have a health condition that means you're more at risk from flu, you should get your flu vaccine as soon as possible. Other 50 to 64 year-olds will be contacted about a flu vaccine later.
More information about the flu vaccine
Easy-read information about the flu vaccine
Information about the flu vaccine in multiple languages
Children’s flu vaccine
The children's flu vaccine is safe and effective. It's offered every year as a nasal spray to children to help protect them against flu.
The nasal spray flu vaccine is free on the NHS for:
- children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2020 – born between 1 September 2016 and 31 August 2018
- all primary school children (reception to year 6)
- all year 7 in secondary school
- children aged 2 to 17 years with long-term health conditions
If your child is aged between 6 months and 2 years and is in a high-risk group for flu, they'll be offered a flu vaccine injection instead of the nasal spray.
This is because the nasal spray is not licensed for children under 2 years.
Children aged 2 to 17 years may also have the flu vaccine injection if the nasal spray vaccine is not suitable for them.
