Vaccination

The flu jab is available to priority groups who are at greater risk of complications from flu.

This year, the vaccine contains the H1N1 swine flu strain as well as influenza A/H3N2 and B-like viruses. In addition, this year most children in 'at risk' groups aged 2 to 17 inclusive, will be offered a vaccine that is given as a spray into the nose instead of an injection. For more information on the flu vaccine, download the leaflets: 

Protect yourself: catch the vaccine not the flu
Protect yourself and your baby: the flu vaccine and pregnancy

It is important that you get your flu vaccination in October or early November to be ready to fight off infection. The earlier you get the vaccine, the sooner you will develop protection. You need to get a new dose of the vaccine before each winter, as protection doesn't last from one year to the next.