This year NHS England have informed us that the routine annual adult Flu programme for adults aged 18 years old upwards will start on the 3rd October 2024.
To ensure you have maximum protection for the flu season you should be vaccinated in October preferably, but certainly by the end of November. Flu numbers start to rise in November and peak in December and January.
However, there are 3 groups of people who should be vaccinated early and we encourage you to be vaccinated in one of our September clinics.
Those who are pregnant (especially if near due date), because:
Pregnant women are at higher risk from complications from flu
To protect the baby during pregnancy (for example flu infection increases the risks of the baby being premature or stillborn)
To protect the baby in the first few months of life (babies aged under 6 months are at high risk of complications from flu)
Children, because:
The protection from the flu vaccine lasts longer in children
Children tend to be “super spreaders”
Getting your child vaccinated not only protects your child but also their grandparents, vulnerable parents and will reduce the spread of flu to the wider population
People due to have treatment such as chemotherapy, because:
If you are due to have treatment that will weaken your immune system, such as chemotherapy, the vaccine given before treatment starts will work better as your immune system is stronger.