When will flu jabs be available in the UK?
THE NHS annual flu vaccinations begin in autumn.
They take place before the outbreak so it has time to take effect.
When do flu jabs start in the UK?
The annual flu vaccinations start in late September and early October, with the Government aiming to double the programme in England in 2020.
The says the best time to have the injection is in the autumn, ideally in early October or November.
Flu can be unpleasant, but if you're otherwise healthy, it'll usually clear up on its own within a week.
Although for certain groups of people it can be much more severe and can lead to pneumonia.
You can get the flu jab from your GP surgery, a local pharmacy if they offer the service or a midwifery service if they offer it to pregnant women.
What does a flu jab do?
Studies have shown that the flu vaccine will help prevent you getting the infection.
The NHS says it is the best protection against an unpredictable virus that can cause unpleasant illness in children and severe illness and death among at-risk groups, including older people, pregnant women and those with an underlying medical health condition.
It will not stop all flu viruses and the level of protection may vary, so it's not a 100 per cent guarantee that you'll be flu-free.
But if you do get flu after vaccination, it's likely to be milder and shorter-lived than it would otherwise have been.
Over time, protection from the injected flu vaccine gradually decreases, and flu strains often change.
Are there any side effects?
You may have a mild fever and aching muscles for a couple of days after having the vaccine, and your arm may be a bit sore where you were injected.
Side effects of the nasal spray vaccine may commonly include a runny or blocked nose, a headache, tiredness and some loss of appetite.
However, serious side effects from the vaccine are very rare.
Who cannot have a flu jab?
The NHS states that very few people cannot have the injection, although you should avoid it if you've had a serious allergic reaction in the past.
If you are ill with a fever you should delay having the jab.
The NHS only gives free flu jabs to the following groups:
- adults 65 and over
- people with certain medical conditions (including children in at-risk groups from 6 months of age)
- pregnant women
- children aged 2 and 3 on August 31 2019 who usually have it as a nasal spray
- children in primary school
- frontline health or social care workers
However in 2020 the Government is looking to extend this to children aged 11 and those aged 50 and over.
Anyone living in a household with somebody on the Covid-19 shielded list will also be eligible for a free jab.
The government are keen for more people to be vaccinated than usual this year to help prevent the flu spreading while coronavirus is still present.
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What other common vaccines are there?
The NHS provides a number of vaccines for the entire population, usually starting when they are babies.
- 6-in-1 vaccine
- Pneumococcal vaccine
- MenB vaccine
- Rotavirus vaccine
- Hib/MenC vaccine
- MMR vaccine
- Children’s flu vaccine
- 4-in-1 pre-school booster
- HPV vaccine
- 3-in-1 teenage booster
- MenACWY vaccine
- Shingles vaccine.
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Other vaccines are available and most of these are for travel purposes.