The flu jab can be booked now at your nearest pharmacy
As the weather gets colder and people stay indoors more, plenty of bugs and viruses will start to do the rounds – and thanks to two new Covid strains, many of us are already stuck at home with symptoms. One way to reduce your risk of coming down with seasonal viruses is to get vaccinated.
The annual flu jab season has begun, and while many will opt to get the vaccine to reduce their chances of getting sick and to boost their health, others may not be sure whether it’s worth it. To help people decide whether to book themselves a flu jab this year, one NHS doctor has explained whether it’s really worth having and what patients should know first.
Dr Abdul said: “One of the biggest problems with the flu vaccination is we don’t know how effective it is until the season is over. The flu vaccine is basically based on a best guess of what strains we think will be going around in the community.”
He added: “We look at, for example, Australia and New Zealand, which have already had the winter to come up with the vaccination that we have now. What we can do is look at the data for 2024.”
Dr Abdul continued: “It basically reduced GP attendances somewhere between 35 per cent to 55 per cent, which is significant, but one of the biggest key factors the flu vaccine helped to prevent is hospitalisations. So anywhere between 38 per cent to 75 per cent, which is a significant amount because, obviously, flu places a big burden on hospital resources.”
Regarding different age groups, he explained that success rates can vary, with youngsters actually achieving higher protection levels. He noted one reason for this is that children are “snotty”, touching numerous surfaces and spreading germs far more readily.
This explains why vaccination often provides greater disease prevention in youngsters compared to grown-ups. Dr Abdul emphasised that preventing hospital admissions remains one of the jab’s most crucial benefits, which is precisely why those over 65 are routinely offered the vaccination.
He continued: “We do know from 2024 that the flu vaccine was effective. Is it going to be effective this year? I can’t tell you, but what I can tell you is it will reduce your chances of having serious illness.”
Typically, protection against hospitalisation varies considerably, ranging from 38 per cent in adults aged 65 and over to 75 per cent in children. Vaccine effectiveness changes annually and can be reduced in certain groups.
The NHS website explains: “The flu vaccine helps protect against flu, which can be a serious or life-threatening illness. It’s offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter to people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.”
It adds: “The flu vaccine is recommended for people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu. It’s offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter.”
The NHS states that certain individuals are eligible for a free flu jab. The list includes those who:
- Are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by March 31 2026)
- Have certain long-term health conditions
- Are pregnant
- Live in a care home
- Are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer’s allowance
- Live with someone who has a weakened immune system
However, if you’re not eligible for a free one, you can opt to pay for the flu jab. For further advice about this, it’s best to contact your GP or pharmacy.
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