Some children over the age of 2 years who are in a high-risk group will also need to have an injected vaccine if the nasal spray vaccine is not suitable for them. Following the JCVI’s recommendation that adults over the age of 65 and those with underlying health conditions would be eligible for a flu and COVID-19 vaccination this year, the offer was due to start from early October to maximise protection for patients right across the winter months. The NHS winter flu and COVID-19 vaccination programme provides vital protection to those eligible and their families over winter, keeping people from developing serious illnesses, and helping to minimise hospitalisations during busy winter months. Colds are much less serious and usually start gradually with a stuffy or runny nose and a sore throat.

Because the flu virus can change from year to year there is a risk that the vaccine does not match the circulating virus. If you are a frontline health or social care worker, find out what arrangements have been made at your workplace for providing flu vaccination.This precautionary measure to bring forward the autumn programme will ensure these people have protection against any potential wave this winter. School aged children will be offered a flu vaccine in school or can be vaccinated at community clinics. This is to help protect them against the disease and help reduce its spread to both other children and their parents and grandparents. Most children are offered the vaccine as a nasal spray and adults are offered an injectable vaccine.

If you belong to one of the groups mentioned in this guidance, it’s important that you have your flu vaccination. Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency, Dame Jenny Harries said: “As we continue to live with COVID-19 we expect to see new variants emerge. You can prevent the spread of the virus by covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and you can wash your hands frequently or use hand gels to reduce the risk of picking up the virus.

If you are allergic to eggs or have a condition that weakens your immune system, you may not be able to have certain types of flu vaccine – check with your GP. After a catastrophic crash on an unknown planet, pilot Mills (Driver) quickly discovers he’s actually stranded on Earth… 65 million years ago. But it is important that those eligible this year come forward for their vaccinations as protection fades over time, and the virus that causes flu can change from year to year. Where people had already booked an appointment for their flu vaccination earlier in September with their local provider, these appointments can go ahead.