Flu vaccine

Flu vaccine and COVID-19

Flu vaccination is important because:

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

COVID-19 Autumn booster vaccine

Some people may be eligible for both the flu and the COVID-19 Autumn booster vaccines. If you're offered both vaccines, it's safe to have them at the same time.

More information about the COVID-19 booster vaccine and who can get it is available at this link:

• Get a COVID-19 vaccination in Northern Ireland

People who should get the vaccine

Some people are at greater risk from the effects of flu and should get the vaccine when offered it. There’s an increased risk if you:

•  are pregnant
• are aged 50 or over, even if you feel fit and healthy
• live in a residential or nursing home
• have an illness or underlying health condition (including children from six months of age)

The annual flu vaccination programme also includes:

• pre-school children aged two years and over
• children at primary school and secondary school (up to Year 12)
• carers – if you care for another person, you should ask your GP if you should be vaccinated so you can continue caring for them
• frontline health and social care (HSC) workers  (as defined in the Green Book chapter 14a)
• staff in independent care homes, hospices and domiciliary care providers
• close contacts of immunocompromised individuals

People with illnesses or health conditions

Children over six months old and adults should get the vaccine if they have:

• a chronic chest condition such as asthma
• a chronic heart condition
• chronic liver disease
• chronic kidney disease
• diabetes
• lowered immunity due to disease or treatment such as steroids or cancer therapy
• a chronic neurological condition such as stroke, multiple sclerosis or a condition that affects the nervous system such as cerebral palsy
• a very high body weight (BMI greater than 40)
• any other serious medical condition, ask your doctor if you're unsure

Flu vaccine for children

The annual flu vaccination programme includes:

• all pre-school children aged two years and over (offered in GP)
• all children at primary school (offered in schools)
• all children in Years 8 to 12 in secondary school (offered in schools)
• children aged six months to two years with underlying health conditions (offered in GP surgeries)
• children aged 16 and 17 years with underlying health conditions (offered in GP surgeries)

Children should also get the flu vaccine if:

• they were previously in hospital with a chest infection
• they go to a school for children with severe learning difficulty

• Flu vaccine for children

Health and social care workers

Frontline health and social care workers should get the vaccine.

Those eligible for free flu vaccination include clinical and non-clinical staff who have contact with patients. This includes:

• staff involved in direct patient care
• non-clinical staff in secondary or primary care or community healthcare settings
• laboratory and pathology staff
• frontline social care workers

You can get the vaccine from your employer (if your employer offers this service or through a participating community pharmacy.

Protection against common flu strains

Each year the flu vaccine protects against the three most common strains of flu. You are more at risk from flu complications if you fall into any of the categories listed above. In the worst cases, flu can result in a stay in hospital or even death. 

You should get the vaccine even if you got it last year and you feel fit and healthy now.

By getting the vaccine you are protecting yourself and others, who may be more vulnerable than you. You are also helping to protect the healthcare system at a time when it is under strain due to the coronavirus pandemic.

How the flu vaccine works

The flu vaccine cannot give you flu nor will it make you more vulnerable to COVID-19. The vaccine is made from small parts of the flu virus.

Seven to 14 days after you get the vaccine, your body makes antibodies to the vaccine viruses. These antibodies help protect you against flu.

Flu vaccine and allergic reactions

If you had an anaphylactic reaction to a previous flu vaccine, you may not be able to get the flu vaccine. The healthcare worker giving the flu vaccines will be able to tell you if this is the case.

If you have any other allergies, for example, egg or latex there may be only certain types of flu vaccines that you can get and you should discuss any allergies that you have with your GP or nurse administering the flu vaccine.

Flu vaccine in pregnancy

Flu infection during pregnancy can be very harmful to mother and baby. Serious complications include:

• pneumonia
• heart problems
• lung problems

The flu vaccine is safe for pregnant women and their babies. If you're pregnant, you should get the vaccine to protect you and your baby from flu, regardless of your stage of pregnancy.  

To get the vaccine, contact your GP.

Administering the flu vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic

It is more important than ever to get the vaccine this year as research shows that for some people contracting COVID-19 and flu virus increases the risk of complications, which could be fatal.

Robust infection control procedures and social distancing will be in place in all settings where the flu vaccination is administered.

You can also reduce your risk or catching coronavirus by following the latest public health advice when you are out getting your vaccination:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): how to stay safe and help prevent the spread

Do not go to your vaccination appointment if you are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 or if you are in self-isolation having been identified as a close contact of a positive COVID-19. You should rearrange your appointment.

Where to get the flu vaccine

When and where you get your vaccine will depend on which group you belong to:

• residents and staff in care homes will be offered their flu vaccine by a local community pharmacy
• risk groups (except those in primary and secondary schools) will be invited to get the vaccine by their GP
• pre-school children will be offered the vaccine by their GP
• all children in primary and secondary school, including children in risk groups,  will get the vaccine in school if their parents sign and return the consent form
• pregnant women should contact their GP or midwife to get the vaccine or can get the vaccine from a participating community pharmacy
• household contacts of those of who are immuno-compromised should contact their GP to get the vaccine
• carers should contact their GP or can get the vaccine from a participating community pharmacy
• frontline health and social care workers should get the vaccine through their employer (if employer offers the service) or from a participating community pharmacy
• those over the age of 50 will be invited to get the vaccine by their GP or can get the vaccine from a participating community pharmacy

More useful links

• Flu
• The importance of hand hygiene
• GP out of hours service
• Community pharmacists