Flu vaccination: who should have it this winter and why

Public Health England has updated its guidance for the 2021/22 flu vaccination season. This guidance explains how you can help protect yourselves, your children, and your loved ones against flu this winter.

The guidance includes information for children, eligible adults, and pregnant women, and details why it's very important that people at increased risk from flu, or who care for someone vulnerable, to have their free vaccination every year.

Click here to read the full Flu vaccination guidance.

Those at increased risk from the effects of flu

Flu can affect anyone, but if you have a long-term health condition, the effects of flu can make it worse even if the condition is well managed and you normally feel well. You should have the free flu vaccine if you are:

• pregnant

or have a long-term condition such as:

• a heart problem
• a chest complaint or serious breathing difficulties, including bronchitis, emphysema or some people with asthma
• a kidney disease
• lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as steroid medication or cancer treatment)
• liver disease
• had a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
• diabetes
• a neurological condition, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or cerebral palsy
• a learning disability
• a problem with your spleen, such as sickle cell disease, or you have had your spleen removed
• you are seriously overweight (BMI of 40 and above)

Those who should consider having a flu vaccination

All those who have any condition listed above or who are:

• aged 65 years or over
• living in a residential or nursing home
• the main carer of an older or disabled person
• a frontline health or social care worker
• pregnant
• children of a certain age

Those aged 50 to 64 years old will also be offered flu vaccination this year.