What is Influenza (flu)?

Flu is caused by influenza viruses that infect the windpipe and lungs which are part of the respiratory system. There are several symptoms of flu including a sudden high temperature, an aching body and a dry cough. A full list of symptoms is available on the NHS website. It often gets better on its own but can lead to serious illness. It is important to get the flu vaccine ahead of winter if you are eligible to protect yourself.  

How do I stop flu spreading?

Flu is very infectious, spread by germs from coughs and sneezes. It can spread by person to person via small droplets containing the virus being released from an infected person and then picked up by another person by breathing these droplets in or touching surfaces covered in them. 

The best way to avoid catching and spreading flu is by getting vaccinated ahead of winter. You can help prevent the spread by covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze and encourage children to do so, washing your hands frequently or using hand gels and cleaning surfaces you use regularly to reduce the risk of picking up the viruses. 

What should I do if I think I have flu?

The best way to avoid catching and spreading flu is by getting vaccinated.

If you think that you have flu you should:

• try to stay at home 
• rest and sleep
• keep warm
• take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains
• drink plenty of fluids (water is best) to avoid dehydration (your pee should be light yellow and clear) 

A pharmacist can give treatment advice. Please check on NHS.UK for further advice on how to look after yourself at home.
 

Can I have the vaccine if I feel unwell?

If you are unwell, wait until you have recovered to have your vaccine. You should not attend an appointment if you have a fever or think you might be infectious to others.

Should I get the vaccines if I think I have already had flu?

If you think you’ve already had flu, once you’ve recovered you should still get the vaccines as they will still help protect you.

Is there anyone that shouldn’t get the vaccines?

Almost everybody can have the vaccines, but you should not be vaccinated if you have ever had a serious allergy (eg. anaphylaxis) to any of the flu vaccines, or any of their ingredients – you should discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist. 

If you are allergic to eggs you may not be able to have certain types of flu vaccine – check with your immuniser. If you have a fever, the vaccination may be delayed until you are better.

What type of flu vaccine will I be given?

For adults, there are several types of flu vaccine depending upon your age. 

• adults are offered an injectable vaccine. There are different types, including low-egg and egg-free ones
• adults aged 65 years and over – the most common flu vaccine contains an extra ingredient to help your immune system make a stronger response to the vaccine

Most children over the age of 2 are offered a nasal spray vaccine – this is given as a quick and painless spray up the nose. Those aged under 2 and a small number of children due to pre-existing medical conditions or treatments cannot have the nasal spray and are offered protection through an injected vaccine instead.

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is an infectious disease that is caused by a particular type of coronavirus that infects the windpipe and lungs which are part of the respiratory system. There are a range of symptoms of COVID-19 including a new continuous cough, shortness of breath and an aching body. The symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses including flu and a full list of symptoms is available on the NHS website. COVID-19 often gets better on its own but can lead to serious illness. It is important to get the COVID-19 vaccine ahead of winter if you are eligible to protect yourself.

I haven’t yet had the COVID-19 vaccination, can I still get my first jabs? 

Since the end of the spring 2023 COVID-19 campaign, the primary course of COVID-19 vaccine became a targeted offer to those at higher risk and only during seasonal campaigns. This means during this autumn winter programme, those eligible for the primary course COVID-19 vaccination will be the same as those eligible for the seasonal vaccine.

The main exception to this would be unvaccinated individuals aged six months and above who become or have recently become severely immunosuppressed. These individuals should be considered for primary vaccination, regardless of the time of year. Clinical judgement should be used to decide on the best timing to commence vaccination

Do I need to receive the same type of vaccine or booster as my previous ones?

No, all COVID-19 vaccines authorised for use by the NHS are effective and provide a strong booster response. When you attend your appointment, the NHS will offer you a safe, effective vaccine.

What type of COVID-19 vaccine will I be given?

There are several different COVID-19 vaccines in use in the UK. They have all met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness. Most people can have any of the COVID-19 vaccines and will be offered a vaccine that gives protection from more than one type of COVID-19. You cannot choose which vaccine you have.

Some people are only offered certain vaccines, for example:

• if you're under 18 years old
• in very rare cases if you’ve had a severe allergic reaction to one of the common vaccines you may be referred to a specialist clinic for an alternative COVID-19 vaccine

RSV is an infectious disease of the airways and lungs. RSV infection often causes symptoms similar to a cold, including:

• cough
• sore throat
• sneezing
• a runny or blocked nose

It can also make you become wheezy or short of breath and lead to pneumonia and other life-threatening conditions. There is no specific treatment, and most infections will get better by themselves. Every year thousands of older adults need hospital care for RSV, and some of them will die. RSV can be more severe in people with medical conditions such as heart or lung disease or a weakened immune system.

RSV infection is common in young children but is most serious for small babies and for older people.

How RSV is spread

RSV infections can occur all year round but cases peak every winter.

RSV can spread through coughs and sneezes. You can help to prevent the spread of the virus by covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze (ideally with a tissue, or else into the bend of your elbow), and you can wash your hands frequently to reduce the risk of picking up the virus. Even with these measures it can be difficult to avoid RSV infection.

The best way to protect yourself is to have the vaccine.

How the RSV vaccine works

Almost all older adults will have had several RSV infections during their life. A single dose of vaccine will help to boost protection as you reach an age group at highest risk of serious RSV infection. Unlike the flu vaccine you do not need to have the RSV vaccine every year.

Eligibility for the RSV vaccination

Everyone turning 75 years old on or after the 1 September 2024 will be offered a single dose of RSV vaccine. This is because older adults are more at risk of serious complications from RSV. You can still get the vaccine up to the day before you turn 80.

For the first year of the programme, the vaccine will also be offered to those who are already aged 75 to 79 years on 1 September 2024 as part of a catch up programme.

If you are not yet 75 the NHS will invite you for vaccination once you turn 75.

Pregnant women at 28 weeks will also be offered the vaccination for each pregnancy to help pass on antibodies to their unborn child.

Having the RSV vaccine at the same time as other vaccines

Shingles and pneumococcal vaccines
You may be offered your shingles or pneumococcal vaccine at the same time as the RSV vaccine, it is safe to do so and reduces the number of appointments you will need to get protected from these diseases.

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines

RSV isn’t normally arranged to be given at the same appointment as your COVID-19 or flu vaccines.

In certain clinical circumstances, your doctor or nurse can safely offer them at the same time.

Those who should not have the RSV vaccine

Almost everybody can have the vaccine, but tell the doctor or nurse if you have ever had a serious allergy to a vaccine, or any of the ingredients.

You can read the patient information leaflet for the RSV vaccine called Abrysvo.

If you have a minor illness such as a cold you can receive the vaccine, but if you are very unwell or have a fever, the doctor or nurse may advise you to wait until you are better.

The protection offered by the RSV vaccine

The vaccine has been shown to reduce the chance of you suffering from RSV disease. As with all medicines, no vaccine is completely effective and some people may still get RSV despite having a vaccination. If you do get RSV, it should be less severe.

How long the RSV vaccine will protect you for

In the clinical studies, RSV vaccine provided good protection for at least 2 years and is expected to last longer.

Side effects from the RSV vaccine

You may get some soreness, redness or swelling at the site of the injection for a day or two after the vaccination.

In the first season of use in the US over 3 million doses were given. A nervous system condition that leads to weakness was reported, around 5 cases for every million doses given. The same condition also occurs after a number of common infections and some vaccines but overall it is safer for you to have the vaccine than to risk having a potentially serious RSV infection.

You can report suspected side effects to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA):

• on the Yellow Card website
• by calling the free phone line: 0800 731 6789 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)
• by downloading the Yellow Card App on iOS or Android

The flu vaccine is offered to people most at risk of getting seriously ill from flu or who are most likely to pass flu to other people at risk. The following people are eligible for the free flu vaccine this season:

From 1 September 2024

• pregnant women
• all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024
• primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6)
• secondary school aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11)
• all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years

From 3 October 2024

• those aged 65 years and over
• those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book, Influenza Chapter 19)
• those in long-stay residential care homes
• carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
• close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
• frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and those that are employed by those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets, such as personal assistants

Which health conditions make me eligible for a flu vaccine?

The flu vaccine is offered to anyone with a serious health condition, including:

• respiratory conditions, ie asthma, chronic pulmonary disease, including emphysema and bronchitis, cystic fibrosis
• diabetes
• heart conditions such as coronary heart disease or heart failure 
• being very overweight – a BMI of 40 or above 
• chronic kidney disease
• liver disease, such as hepatitis
• neurological conditions, ie Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS) or cerebral palsy
• a learning disability 
• problems with your spleen, eg sickle cell
• a weakened immune system as the result of conditions ie HIV and AIDs or taking steroids or chemotherapy

Seasonal COVID-19 vaccines are offered to those at increased risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 – this may be due to a health condition or age.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has recommended the following groups should be able to get a COVID-19 vaccine this autumn/winter:

• residents and staff in a care home for older adults
• people that are pregnant 
• all adults aged 65 years and over
• frontline health and social care workers
• persons aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as defined in tables 3 and 4 of the COVID-19 chapter of the Green book

Which health conditions make me eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination?

The COVID-19 vaccine is offered to those with a serious health condition. Those that can get the COVID-19 vaccine due to a health condition are broadly similar to those that can get a flu vaccine including:

• respiratory conditions, ie poorly controlled asthma, chronic pulmonary disease, including emphysema and bronchitis, cystic fibrosis
• diabetes
• heart conditions such as coronary heart disease or heart failure 
• being very overweight – a BMI of 40 or above 
• chronic kidney disease
• liver disease, such as hepatitis
• neurological conditions, ie Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS) or cerebral palsy
• a learning disability 
• those with a severe mental illness
• problems with your spleen, eg sickle cell
• a weakened immune system as the result of conditions ie HIV and AIDs or taking steroids or chemotherapy 

A full list of clinical risk groups is included in tables 3 and 4 in Chapter 14a of the Green Book. 

Worldwide, there have been very rare cases of inflammation of the heart called myocarditis or pericarditis reported after some COVID-19 vaccinations. These cases have been seen mostly in younger men within several days after vaccination. Most of these people recovered and felt better following rest and simple treatments. 

Are the vaccines safe?

Vaccines have a good safety record, and their side effects are generally mild and do not last for more than a few days. Your safety will always come first and there are rigorous safety standards that have to be met through the approval process.  

As with any medicine, vaccines are highly regulated products. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the official UK regulator is globally recognised for requiring the highest standards of safety, quality and effectiveness for medicines and vaccines. There are checks at every stage in the development and manufacturing process. Each of the vaccines are tested on tens of thousands of people across the world. They are tested on both men and women, on people from different ethnic backgrounds, and of all age groups. 

Vaccines are being continuously monitored for safety – the effected benefits of the vaccines far outweigh risk in the majority of patients. You and your healthcare professional can report any suspected side effects through the tried and trusted Yellow Card Scheme.

How do vaccines work?

Vaccines teach your immune system how to create antibodies that protect you from diseases. It's usually much safer for your immune system to learn this through vaccination than by catching the diseases and treating them. Once your immune system knows how to fight a disease, it can often protect you.

Are there any side effects from the vaccines?

Most side effects are mild and only last for a day or so, such as:

• having a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where you had your injection. This tends to be worst around a day or two following the vaccination
• feeling tired 
• headache 
• general aches, or mild flu like symptoms

 Try these tips to help reduce the discomfort:

• rest
• continue to move your arm regularly
• take a painkiller, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen – some people, including those who are pregnant, should not take ibuprofen unless a doctor recommends it

Symptoms following vaccination normally last less than a week. If you experience a high temperature, if your symptoms seem to get worse or if you are concerned, you can call NHS 111. 

You should seek medical advice urgently if, after vaccination, you experience: 

• chest pain 
• shortness of breath
• feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart 

You can report suspected side effects of vaccines and medicines through the Yellow Card Scheme:

• online at Yellow Card Scheme
• by downloading and using the Yellow Card app on Apple or Android
• by calling the Yellow Card scheme on 0800 731 6789 (9am to 5pm)

Will I be invited to get my winter vaccines?

You may be invited to get your winter vaccines by the NHS nationally or your GP practice through a letter, text or email. Don’t worry if you do not receive this. If you are eligible, you do not have to wait for this before booking an appointment. If you receive an invitation from the NHS and have already been vaccinated do not worry, sometimes there is a delay in the information flowing through and you do not need to do anything. 

Children aged 2 and 3 will be offered the nasal spray vaccine via their GP practice. School aged children will be offered the vaccination through the school immunisation programme. An injectable version of the vaccine is available for those where the nasal spray is not suitable.

How can I book my winter vaccines?

To get your COVID-19 or flu vaccination:

• Book online at nhs.uk 
• Use the NHS App
• Via your GP surgery
• Some pharmacies

For the Isle of Wight:

To have your COVID-19 vaccination at St Mary's Hospital, you can use National Booking Service to make your appointment. Slots are added each day, so if you cannot see one available for the Isle of Wight immediately, please check again later. You can also be vaccinated at your GP practice. Please wait for your invitation to book an appointment before contacting them.

If you need support:

• If you can’t get online, phone 119 for help arranging your vaccinations. Interpreters will be available on request
• If you usually get your care at home, please contact your GP surgery to arrange a home visit with a local NHS service
• If you are housebound or are not able to travel to a vaccination centre, your local NHS services will be in touch to make arrangements
• If you have difficulties communicating or hearing, or are a British Sign Language (BSL) user you can go online at NHS.UK, use textphone 18001 119 or the NHS BSL interpreter service

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine

Pregnant women will be invited for their vaccine at 28 weeks pregnant. You can have your vaccination at your GP practice or your midwifery service.

People aged 75 and over will be invited for their vaccine via their GP practice.

Where will my child receive their winter vaccines?

Your child will receive their COVID-19 vaccine at their GP surgery, a local vaccination centre or community pharmacy. 

For the flu vaccine:

What flu vaccine will my child receive?

• Most children over the age of 2 are offered a nasal spray vaccine – this is given as a quick and painless spray up the nose.
• A small number cannot have it due to pre-existing medical conditions or treatments and are offered protection through an injected vaccine instead.
• The nasal spray contains small traces of porcine gelatine. For those who may not accept the use of porcine gelatine in medicines, an injectable vaccine is available. If your child is aged between 6 months and 2 years old and is in a clinical risk group for flu, they will be offered an injected flu vaccine as the nasal spray is not licensed for children under the age of 2. 

Are there any children that shouldn’t get the nasal flu vaccine?

Some children will be offered the injected flu vaccine if they have:

• a severely weakened immune system
• asthma that's being treated with steroid tablets or has needed intensive care in hospital
• a flare-up of asthma symptoms (such as they've been wheezy in the past 72 hours or are currently wheezy) and need to use a reliever inhaler more than usual
• had an allergic reaction to a flu vaccine in the past
• a condition that needs salicylate treatment

Children will also be offered the injected flu vaccine if they live with somebody with a severely weakened immune system who requires isolation (for example, someone who has had a bone marrow transplant).

If you're not sure, check with the school aged immunisation service team, the nurse or GP at your surgery, or the specialist if your child has hospital care.

The nasal spray vaccine contains small traces of pork gelatine. If you do not accept the use of pork gelatine in medical products, the injected vaccine is available as an alternative.

Side effects of the children's flu vaccine

The nasal spray flu vaccine for children has an excellent safety record. Most side effects are mild and do not last long, such as:

• a runny or blocked nose
• a headache
• tiredness
• loss of appetite

Should I get the flu and seasonal COVID-19 vaccines while I’m pregnant?

If you’re pregnant you're at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu and COVID-19. 

There is good evidence that pregnant people have a higher chance of developing complications if they get flu, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy. One of the most common complications of flu is bronchitis, a chest infection that can become serious and develop into pneumonia. If you have flu while you're pregnant, it could cause your baby to be born prematurely or have a low birthweight, it increases the need for admission to intensive care for mum and baby and may even lead to stillbirth or death. If you get flu and also get COVID-19 at the same time, the symptoms are likely to be more serious.

Getting your winter vaccines is the safest and most effective way for people to protect themselves and their baby against COVID-19 and it also reduces the risk of having a stillbirth. The antibodies your body produces in response to the vaccine can also give your baby protection against flu and COVID-19 which lasts for the first few months of their lives.

It's safe to have the flu and COVID-19 vaccine during any stage of pregnancy, from the first few weeks up to your expected due date. It's also safe for people who are breastfeeding to have the vaccines. There's no evidence flu and COVID-19 vaccination increases the risk of having a miscarriage, pre-term birth or other complications in your pregnancy. It's strongly recommended that you get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 ahead of winter to protect you and your baby. 

Can I get the flu and COVID-19 vaccine at the same time while pregnant?

It’s safe to receive the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time. You may be offered them at the same time or you may be offered, or to decide to have them, separately. Where possible, we encourage you to get both vaccines in the same appointment to save you time and ensure you are protected against both viruses. If this is not possible, we encourage you to get each vaccine as soon as you can, rather than waiting to get both at the same time. If you receive both vaccines in one appointment but originally booked two, please do cancel the other appointment so that it becomes available for someone else.

Can I have the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time as the whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine?

Yes, you can have the vaccines at the same time as the whooping cough vaccine (pertussis vaccine), but do not delay your winter vaccines so you can have all of the vaccines at the same time. Pregnant people are at risk of severe illness from flu and COVID-19 at any stage of pregnancy, so you need to have the vaccines as soon as possible. The best time to get vaccinated against whooping cough is from 16 weeks up to 32 weeks of pregnancy. If you miss having the vaccine for any reason, you can still have it up until you go into labour.

Women who are 28 weeks or more pregnant are also being invited to come forward and have their respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine. You can get this via your GP practice or midwifery service.