Flu vaccine: What you need to know

Advice and Information - 14 October 2022

Not sure whether you’re eligible for a flu vaccine or how to get it? Read our frequently asked questions.
Healthwatch Bradford and District Annual Report 2021-22
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Flu and coronavirus   

As a result of the pandemic, fewer people have a natural immunity to the flu, so more people will likely catch it this year. If you get the flu and COVID-19 simultaneously, you are more likely to be seriously ill. It’s therefore important to get your flu and COVID-19 vaccines if you’re eligible.    

COVID-19 vaccine information

How can you get a flu vaccine?   

It is best to have your flu vaccine in the autumn or early winter before flu rates increase.   

You can get an NHS flu vaccine at:  

  • Your GP surgery.  
  • A local pharmacy offering NHS flu vaccines.  
  • Some maternity services if you’re pregnant.   
  • Sometimes at a hospital.  

If you’re eligible for a free NHS flu vaccine, you can book an appointment at your GP surgery or a pharmacy that offers it. You might also receive an invitation to get vaccinated, but you do not need to wait for one.   

You do not need to be registered with a GP or have an NHS number to get a vaccine. You may be asked to confirm why you are eligible for the flu vaccine. No immigration checks will be carried out when you receive the vaccine.   

Find a pharmacy that offers NHS flu vaccines  

Is the flu vaccine safe?  

Yes, the flu vaccine is safe and effective. It will not give you the flu, although you might get mild side effects such as headaches or aching muscles. Only one in a million people get severe side effects.

Can you get the flu vaccine if you’re pregnant?   

The flu vaccine helps protect you and your baby from a severe illness. It’s safe to have a flu vaccine at any stage of pregnancy.   

Pregnany and flu vaccine information  

If you are pregnant and think you have the flu, you should talk to your GP urgently so they can prescribe you medication that can help.   

Can I get a flu vaccine if I have a long-term or chronic condition?   

Yes, the NHS flu vaccine is offered to anyone with a serious long-term health condition. This includes:  

  • Respiratory conditions like asthma   
  • Diabetes  
  • Heart conditions  
  • Being overweight (having a BMI of 40 or above)  
  • Chronic kidney disease  
  • Liver disease  
  • Some neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis (MS)  
  • A learning disability   
  • Problems with your spleen or if you’ve had your spleen removed   
  • A weakened immune system as a result of conditions like HIV and AIDS or from taking medicines such as chemotherapy.   

Talk to your GP if you have a long-term condition that is not in one of these groups or are unsure if you are eligible. If they think you are at risk of serious illness if you get the flu, you should be offered a free vaccine.   

Do I need to get the flu vaccine every year?   

Yes, because the flu virus changes each winter. To ensure you are protected against new strains, the flu vaccine is updated annually. The NHS, therefore, recommends you get vaccinated again this year, even if you were vaccinated last year.   

Do I need to get the vaccine if I’ve already had the flu?  

Yes, the vaccine will still protect you. Other viruses can give you similar flu-like symptoms, or you may have had a different type of flu virus.

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Who should I speak to for advice and information?   

More information:   

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Sarah - Chair of the Board of Trustees

image of Sarah, the Chair of the Board of Trustees

As the Chair of the board of trustees, I work with the other trustees and staff to help set the strategic direction of Healthwatch Bradford and District. We meet regularly to look at finance reports, agree the budget, get updates on the work of the staff team and make any decisions that are important to ensure the charity is as strong and effective as possible. We also work closely with the senior staff team to make sure they have the support they need. I previously managed Healthwatch Bradford and District, and I’m passionate about ensuring our local community has a strong voice in the local NHS. I know from personal experience, as both a patient and a carer, that the NHS can be confusing and it can be hard to have your voice heard. We are a diverse and brilliant community, and it’s vital that every part of it has the chance to speak up and help shape our care.

Outside of my role, I’ve got two young children so I’m often busy with them, but I also love yoga and walking in the woods and moors around the District.

I think Healthwatch Bradford and District does a vital job hearing from people across the District, sharing their experiences and views with the NHS, and helping the health and care system better understand the community. I love that I can support this, and I really enjoy getting to work with the fantastic team.

 

Emma - member of the Board of Trustees

Emma - member of the board of Director

"Healthwatch Bradford and District plays a vital role in making sure every person’s voice is valued, respected, and used to drive meaningful change across our local health and care systems."

I’ve always been driven by a deep belief that people deserve to be heard when it comes to their health, wellbeing, and social care. That belief has shaped my entire career and I’ve spent my life working across health and social care. I have spent time in emergency departments, on hospital wards, within social care services, and alongside community groups where I’ve witnessed extraordinary dedication across our system, but I’ve also seen where things fall short. Those experiences have strengthened my conviction that listening to people’s real stories is the key to creating better, fairer, and more responsive services.

As a Trustee of Healthwatch Bradford and District, I’m proud to help ensure that this principle sits at the heart of everything we do. My role involves supporting the leadership team with strategic decisions, guiding our communications, and helping to shape the organisation’s public presence so that the Bradford and district community knows we are here to champion what matters to them.

Outside of work, life is full and joyful. I have a large, lively family, I foster dogs (which brings chaos and love into the house), and I find calm and creativity through crochet.

 

Jo - member of the Board of Trustees

image of Jo

“I’m committed to making sure every voice, especially those often overlooked, shapes the future of our local health and care services.”

Alongside my work as an Aviation Ops Co‑ordinator, I serve as a trustee where my role is to read, question, and challenge. I bring real‑life experience into board decisions, always trying to make sure services and strategies work for the people they’re meant to help. Because I commute between cities for my job, I get to see how health services operate in different parts of the country. That wider perspective really influences my understanding of services, especially when I see how differently things can be done in other areas of the UK.

I have a particular interest in children’s services, the elderly, and vulnerable communities as I feel these people have seldom heard voices and need to be supported within healthcare services. As a Healthwatch board member, I champion the voice of local people in health and social care. I use lived experience, community insight, and independent challenge to influence decisions, improve services, and ensure people are heard. I’m driven by a belief that everyone deserves safe, fair, and accessible care, and that real change happens when the public voice is at the table and taken seriously.

I’m also currently studying a diploma in Aesthetics. When I’m qualified, I hope to be able to help people with cleft palates or other facial issues or scarring. It’s important to me to support people who might otherwise struggle to access the help they need. I really agree with the sentiment that the health and care system works best when it truly listens to the people it serves.