The flu is caused by a virus. Also called ‘influenza’, flu is different from stomach "flu" viruses that cause diarrhoea and vomiting.
Flu is an infection of the nose, throat and lungs, which are part of the respiratory system.
Most people with the flu get better on their own.
Sometimes flu and its complications can be fatal. Some groups of people are at a higher than average risk of having flu complications, including:
- Young children, especially those age 12 months or younger.
- People who have chronic illnesses, such as asthma, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease and diabetes.
- People who plan to be pregnant, are pregnant or recently gave birth during the flu season.
- Adults older than age 65.
- People who live or work in facilities with many other residents. Examples are those in care homes and in the hospital.
Flu FAQs
The flu vaccine is recommended for people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu. It's offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter, but you can get it later.
You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:
- are aged 65 or over
- have certain long-term health conditions
- are pregnant
- are in long-stay residential care
- receive a carer's allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
- live with someone who is more likely to get a severe infection due to a weakened immune system, such as someone living with HIV, someone who has had a transplant, or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
- frontline health and social care workers
Ask your GP or pharmacist if you have any questions about this. You do not have to registered with a GP.
The flu vaccine is an effective way to protect yourself from the flu virus and has a good safety record.
While flu can be unpleasant, for some it can be very dangerous and even life threatening, particularly people with certain health conditions, older people and pregnant women. For them, it can increase the risk of developing more serious illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia or can make existing conditions worse. Every winter, thousands die from flu.
Children aged under 5 have one of the highest hospitalisation rates for flu. The vaccine reduces a child’s chance of needing hospital care for flu by around two-thirds.
Having your flu vaccination will reduce your risk of serious illness and help you recover more quickly if you catch the viruses.
Getting the flu vaccines while pregnant helps to protect you and your baby from complications if you catch these viruses.
The vaccines have kept tens of thousands of people out of hospital and helped to save countless lives and they give you better protection than any immunity gained from previous infections. They also help protect your family and other people in your community, by helping to stop diseases spreading.
The flu vaccine has a good safety record, and the side effects are generally mild and do not last for more than a few days. Your safety will always come first and there are rigorous safety standards that have to be met through the approval process.
As with any medicine, vaccines are highly regulated products. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the official UK regulator are globally recognised for requiring the highest standards of safety, quality and effectiveness for medicines and vaccines.
There are checks at every stage in the development and manufacturing process. Vaccines are tested on tens of thousands of people across the world. They are tested on both men and women, on people from different ethnic backgrounds, and of all age groups.
If you think you’ve already had flu once you’ve recovered, you should still get the vaccines as they will still help protect you. The flu virus can change every year and the vaccine is updated every year to try to protect you better.
Yes.
You can have the flu vaccine at the same time as other vaccines such as the COVID-19 vaccine and shingles vaccine. Ask your GP or pharmacist if you have any questions about this.
Almost everybody can have the flu vaccine, but you should not be vaccinated if you have ever had a serious allergy (e.g. anaphylaxis) to the flu vaccine, or any of their ingredients – you should discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you are allergic to eggs you may not be able to have certain types of flu vaccine – check with your immuniser. If you have a fever, the vaccination may be delayed until you are better.
If you are eligible for the flu or COVID-19 vaccine based on the JCVI* recommendations, it is important to top up your protection, even if you have had a vaccine or been ill with flu before, as immunity fades over time and flu viruses change each year.
* JCVI – Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation
The vaccines give you additional protection to that gained from previous infections.
The flu vaccine programmes aim to reduce the number of people that get seriously ill and reduce the spread of the virus. The government decide which groups will be eligible for free vaccines on the NHS. Their decision is based on the independent advice of clinical experts in the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) who review the latest clinical evidence and data.
Is porcine (pork) gelatine used in the flu vaccines?
The issue of pork ingredients in some vaccines has raised concerns among some groups, including Muslim, Jewish, vegetarian and vegan communities . You can read the guidance here to provide information about vaccines that contain this product and the alternatives that may be available.
Which vaccines contain porcine (pork) gelatine?
In the UK routine immunisation programme, there are two vaccines that contain porcine gelatine:
- Fluenz®, the nasal spray vaccine that protects children against flu
- MMR VaxPro®, a vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella
Are there alternatives to these vaccines?
- MMR: in the UK we have 2 types of MMR vaccine – MMR VaxPro® and Priorix®. Priorix® does not contain gelatine and is as safe and effective as MMR VaxPro®
- Fluenz®: is the preferred vaccine for children, and it is quick, easy, and painless to administer. It may also be better at reducing spread of flu in the community. If you do not accept medicines or vaccines that contain porcine gelatine, a flu vaccine injection that does not contain gelatine is available.
No.
Stomach flu, also known as gastroenteritis, is a condition that causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines. The main symptoms of gastroenteritis are:
- sudden, watery diarrhoea
- feeling sick
- vomiting, which can be projectile
- a mild fever
- loss of appetite
In most cases, people with stomach flu, or viral gastroenteritis, get better on their own without medical treatment. You can treat stomach flu by replacing lost fluids and electrolytes to prevent dehydration. In some cases, over-the-counter medicines may help relieve your symptoms, check with your pharmacist or GP.