How to book the flu vaccine and where to get the jab

Millions of people are being urged to get jabs after experts said they were increasingly worried about a bad flu spike this winter.

Officials at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned there will be lower levels of natural immunity to flu this year after a few winters when people socialised far less due to the Covid pandemic.

One expert said they were more worried about flu this year than they had been for several years.

Here’s what you need to know.

Under plans announced on Wednesday, about 33 million people in England will be eligible for a free flu vaccine this year, including all primary-age and some secondary-age children, who will be offered the nasal spray. Those eligible for the flu jab are:
• Those aged six months to 49 with a specified health condition;
• Secondary school-aged children focusing on Years 7, 8 and 9 with any remaining vaccine offered to Years 10 and 11;
• Pregnant women; those in care homes, frontline health and social care staff;
• Carers and the household contacts of people with weakened immune systems.

GPs are also inviting children aged two and three (as of 31 August) for the nasal spray vaccine.

The UKHSA warned of a possible “difficult winter” ahead as respiratory viruses, including flu and Covid-19, circulate widely.

International surveillance shows the UK can expect the spread of H3N2 (a subtype of influenza type A), which is currently the most commonly detected flu virus worldwide.

H3N2 has recently caused waves of infection in countries including Australia, which has just had its winter. The vaccine used by the UK is designed to fight this strain.

In 2017/2018, the H3N2 flu strain led to a severe UK flu season, with around 20,000 deaths and 40,000 hospital admissions.

It did circulate in the UK last winter, but less mixing due to the pandemic means there is little immunity to it. Around 26 million people in England are also eligible for the autumn Covid booster vaccine.

People who qualify for both the flu and Covid jabs could be offered both at the same time if supply allows, though in different arms.

Where can you get the vaccine?

Eligible people can get a jab from their GP surgery or pharmacies offering an NHS vaccine service – contact them to book. Pregnant people may be able to access the jab at some maternity services.

You can use this NHS tool to find a pharmacy offering the vaccine near you. You may receive an invitation to get vaccinated, but there is no need to wait.