Each winter, a different strain of flu causes a flu outbreak (seasonal flu). That’s why it is so important to have the flu vaccination if you want to be protected, even if you had it last year.
Influenza (flu) is caused by a virus. Unlike the common cold, it can cause serious illness and is responsible for many thousands of deaths a year in the UK.
Even if you’re not in a high-risk group, flu can still be a very unpleasant condition. If you are not eligible for an NHS vaccine but want a private (paid for) flu vaccine, you can book using this service.
This service is for people aged 18-49 years. It is not suitable for you if you:
Symptoms of flu include:
The symptoms are much more severe than those of a normal cold. Complications include ear infections, bronchitis and pneumonia.
There is a new flu vaccine each year, which protects against the four strains of flu most likely to cause outbreaks for that year. It is given as an injection in the arm.