Flu vaccine for people with long-term conditions
The flu vaccine is available from October 2019 until end of April 2020.
Flu vaccine is strongly recommended for:
- Persons aged 65 and over
- Pregnant women (vaccine can be given at any stage of pregnancy)
- Adults and children aged 6 months and older with a long-term health condition such as:
- chronic heart disease, including acute coronary syndrome
- chronic liver disease
- chronic renal failure
- chronic respiratory disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, moderate or severe asthma or bronchopulmonary dysplasia
- chronic neurological disease including multiple sclerosis, hereditary and degenerative disorders of the central nervous system
- diabetes mellitus
- haemoglobinopathies
- morbid obesity i.e. body mass index (BMI) over 40
- immunosuppression due to disease or treatment (including treatment for cancer)
- Adults and children aged 6 months and older with down syndrome
Children aged 6 months and older:
- with moderate to severe neurodevelopmental disorders such as cerebral palsy and intellectual disability
- on long-term aspirin therapy (because of the risk of Reyes syndrome).
The vaccine is also recommended for
- Healthcare workers including all GP practice staff
- Residents of nursing homes and other long stay institutions
- Carers and household contacts of people with increased medical risk
- People with regular contact with pigs, poultry or water fowl
Find out how to get the flu vaccine.