Flu jab is routinely given to children aged two and three, children in reception class and school years one to five, and children aged two to 17 years at risk of flu.
It’s also offered free of charge on the NHS to people who are at risk of catching the virus such as people aged 65 years of age or over, pregnant people, and those with certain medical conditions.
People living in a long-stay resident care home or a long-stay care facility, and those who receive a carer’s allowance or are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk, are also eligible for the free vaccine.
While the flu jab is highly recommended by experts, does the flu jab come with any side effects? The vaccine won’t give you flu, but two symptoms may occur.
After having the flu jab you may get a mild fever and slight muscles aches for a day or so, according to the NHS.
It advises: “If you have a sore arm after the vaccination, try these tips to ease discomfort.
“Continue to move your arm regularly – don’t let it get stiff and sore, and take a painkiller, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen – pregnant women shouldn’t take ibuprofen unless a doctor recommends and prescribes it.”
The reason you can’t catch flu from the flu jab is because there’s no active viruses in the vaccine.
Allergic reactions to the vaccine are rare but if you experience severe side effects you should contact a pharmacist or your GP.
If you fall out the eligibility group you can still choose to get vaccinated against flu for a small cost.
The best time to have a flu vaccine is in the autumn, from the beginning of October to end of November.
But if you’ve missed getting the jab during these months you can still have it later on in winter. Your GP or pharmacist will be able to advise you on this.
Last winter, flu wreaked havoc across the UK, with Aussie flu being one of the main flu strains circulating.
The number of people dying from flu in England and Wales reached the highest level since a devastating flu epidemic three years earlier.
While the flu jab is the best form of protection, it’s also important to recognise the symptoms of flu so you can manage the virus correctly and stop it from spreading.
Flu symptoms
Bupa lists the most common symptoms of flu as:
- A high temperatures (38C to 40C)
- Chills
- A headache
- Feeling tired, weak and generally unwell
- Aching muscles and joints
- Losing your appetite
- A sore throat
- A dry cough
It adds: “You might also get a runny nose and burning or painful eyes that are particularly sensitive to light.
“The symptoms of flu tend to appear quite suddenly, within two to three days of getting infected.
“Although the symptoms of flu can be similar to a common cold, they are usually more intense. If you have flu, you’ll feel much worse than if you have a cold. And if you have a cold, you’ll have a runny or stuffy nose.”
How to stop flu spreading
To stop the spread of flu it advises you cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and to wash your hands regularly with soap and water.
Staying a home is also a good way of avoiding the virus passing on to other people. You should consider staying off work or school for about a week.
For those unfortunate to get the virus, Dr Sarah Jarvis offered her best remedies.
