Help us help you – protect against flu
Public health officials in Nottinghamshire are reminding eligible people of all ages to get the annual flu vaccination. The flu can be a serious disease, especially for vulnerable people or those with underlying health conditions.
Eligible groups are urged to get their free vaccine every year. However, with COVID-19 still in circulation, this year’s campaign will be particularly vital to protect the most vulnerable and reduce the number of people needing flu treatment from the NHS.
Those eligible for NHS influenza vaccination in 2021 to 2022 are:
- all children aged 2 to 15 (but not 16 years or older) on 31 August 2021
- those aged 6 months to under 50 years in clinical risk groups
- pregnant women
- those aged 50 years and over
- those in long-stay residential care homes
- carers
- close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
- frontline health and social care staff employed by:
- a registered residential care or nursing home
- registered domiciliary care provider
- a voluntary managed hospice provider
- Direct Payment (personal budgets) and/or Personal Health Budgets, such as Personal Assistants.
Flu vaccines will also be offered to frontline health and care staff, including those who are employed by the County Council.
All vaccines will be given to the latest Covid-19-secure guidance to protect the health and safety of anyone who attends.
Nasal spray for children
2 and 3-year-old children are entitled to the free flu nasal spray. Contact your local GP to find out more.
The spray is also being offered to children in school from reception to year seven.
To find out more about the nasal spray for children, including advice for parents and information for faith groups, visit the NHS children's flu vaccine FAQs page.
Carers
Carers are also eligible for the flu jab.
When you’re caring for a partner, relative or friend who couldn’t get by without your help, keeping yourself well is really important.
That's why unpaid carers are offered a free NHS flu jab if they’re the main carer of an older or disabled person whose welfare would be at risk if they were ill. This includes people who receive Carers Allowance and households of people on the shielded patient list.
Get the jab
If you fall into one of the at-risk categories, you can get the flu jab for free on the NHS from your local GP or community pharmacy (who can vaccinate adults but not children).
High street chemists and most of the leading supermarkets also offer the vaccination to any adult at varying costs.
Community pharmacies and GPs will all be working to the current guidance to protect people from Covid-19.
A flu vaccination is needed every year as the flu virus is very clever and constantly changes. It is important for those who are eligible for the flu vaccine to have it annually. By getting the flu jab you will be protecting yourself, your friends and family and the NHS. This will be critical to help prevent people becoming ill while Covid-19 is still in circulation.
- the flu vaccination - Who should have it and why [PDF]
- NHS - The flu jab
- For information about the flu vaccination in British Sign Language please see this YouTube video.
NHS advice
For more information on flu vaccinations and staying well this winter, visit the NHS Stay Well webpages
