Now that the cold weather has well and truly taken hold and October is almost over, it’s time to start thinking about – and talking to your GP about – the flu jab.
Contrary to popular belief, the flu ‘jab’ doesn’t have to be administered via injection. The vaccine can be delivered via nasal spray instead of via an injection, although the nasal spray is usually only recommended for children between the ages of 2 and 17.
Although the vaccine is altered annually to fight newer strains of the flu, there isn’t a 100% guarantee that you won’t catch it after getting the jab, but it is thought to help guard against it.
With experts warning that a stronger strain of flu, known as Aussie flu, could be set to hit the UK this winter, read up on who is elgible for the flu jab and when is best to have it below.
Who can have the flu jab?
The flu jab is offered to groups of people thought to be ‘at-risk’ free on the NHS.
These people include anyone aged 65 or over, pregnant women, children and adults with weakened immune systems and children or adults with an underlying health condition. Health conditions which the NHS deem as leaving you ‘at risk’ and therefore qualify you for a free flu jab include people with long term heart or respiratory issues.
The NHS also recommends that children in primary school and frontline health or social care workers get the jab, although these groups are not offered the jab for free.
While certain people can get the flu jab without cost, anyone can pay for a flu jab privately if they wish to protect themselves or their family.
The NHS say that flu jabs can cost up to £20, but places like Boots offer the flu vaccine for around £12.99.
Dr Clare Morrison, GP and medical advisor at Medexpress told Metro.co.uk that she would advise everyone to get the flu jab as a precaution ahead of winter: ‘Although flu is generally more dangerous in at-risk groups, it can sometimes cause serious illness and even death, in previously healthy people,’ Clare said.
‘This can happen if it leads to pneumonia, for instance. Therefore I recommend that everyone has a flu jab.’
Can you get the flu jab if you have a cold?
The NHS advise that the best time to have a flu jab is between now and the end of November ahead of the main flu season starting which is between December and January.
In terms of whether you can get the jab if you already have a cold, it really depends on your symptoms but in general the NHS says: ‘There’s no need to delay your flu vaccine if you have a minor illness with no fever, such as a cold.’
The NHS say that if you are ill and on antibiotics, this won’t necessarily prevent you from getting the jab either, provided you don’t have a high temperature: ‘It’s fine to have the flu vaccine while you’re taking a course of antibiotics, provided you’re not ill with a high temperature.’
One of the main reasons to delay your flu jab is if you have a fever or high temperature, with the NHS advising: ‘If you’re ill with a fever, it’s best to delay your flu vaccination until you have recovered.’
For more information about the flu vaccine, visit nhs.uk or speak to your local GP for advice.
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