It's not too late to get the flu vaccine

It’s not too late to get the flu jab, but you need to act quickly for it to be effective. Last year’s peak flu season was mid-February and it can go as late as March or even April. 

The flu vaccine is safe and effective in protecting people at risk of getting seriously ill from flu. 

Councillor Sarah Nield, Deputy Chair of Brighton & Hove City Council Health and Wellbeing Board, said: “I’d urge everyone in the city, who hasn’t already, to have the flu jab, especially now when staying as healthy as possible is even more important.  

“People sometimes think a bad cold is flu but having flu can be much worse. You may need to stay in bed for a few days, and in the worst cases, flu can result in a hospital stay, or even death.    

“Not everyone realises how infectious flu is. It’s easily spread to other people even if you have no symptoms.  

“I’ve had my flu jab and it was easy and painless. I had it to stay healthy myself and to stop me spreading it to my friends and family.”   

Reasons to have the flu jab: 

• If you've had Covid, it's safe to have the flu vaccine. It will still be effective at helping to prevent flu. 
• It’s even more important to have the flu jab this winter because if you get flu and Covid together, you're more likely to be seriously ill 
• Protect your vulnerable friends and family from flu and bronchitis or pneumonia  
• It is better than having flu which for some people can mean being very ill 
• Avoid missing out on work, school and anything you enjoy

Who can have the free flu vaccine? 

• 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 
• all aged 50 and over (including those who'll be 50 by 31 March 2022) 
• those in long-stay residential care homes 
• carers 
• close contacts of immunocompromised individuals 
• frontline health and social care staff  

Where to get the flu vaccine 

• You can have the NHS flu vaccine at: 
• your GP surgery or a pharmacy - Find a pharmacy offering flu vaccines 
• your midwifery service if you're pregnant  
• If you have an appointment for a Covid booster vaccine at a GP surgery or pharmacy, you might also be offered a flu vaccine at the same time. 

Learn more about how the NHS in Sussex is urgently delivering the flu vaccine to protect you this winter. 

Find out more about flu, symptoms, treatment and vaccination on the NHS website.