Seasonal flu vaccinations
Flu can be very serious and having a flu vaccine every year is one of the best ways to protect against flu.
It is caused by a virus which is spread by coughs and sneezes. Symptoms of flu can be mild but can also lead to more serious illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia, which may need treatment in hospital.
If any of the following apply to you, even if you feel healthy, you are more likely to get complications from flu if you catch it, and you are advised to have a flu vaccine if:
- You are pregnant
- You are aged 65 or over
- You are aged six months to 64 years and have a long-term health condition that puts you at increased risk from flu
- You live in a care home
- You are homeless
- You are a poultry worker at high risk
The following groups are also advised to have a flu vaccine to protect them and the people around them:
- Children aged two and three years old (age on 31 August 2025)
- Children and young people in school from Reception class to Year 11
- Carers
- People working directly with patients/clients in health or social care
- First responders and members of voluntary organisations providing planned emergency first aid
- Those who live with someone who has a weak immune system
You can find out more about the flu vaccination by visiting Public Health Wales (opens in a new tab).
Care home and social care workers
Flu vaccination for care home and social care staff directly working with people clinically vulnerable to flu, as well as carers, is strongly encouraged.
You should be provided access to the flu vaccine by your employer, however you may also be eligible for a free flu vaccine under the NHS complementary scheme if your employer does not provide a flu vaccination scheme.
Your employer can support you in ensuring that you receive a flu vaccination. They may do this by arranging for you to be vaccinated at your place of work or by arranging for you to be vaccinated off-site. Your employer should let you know which scheme they are running, or, where applicable, advise you to use the NHS complementary scheme. If not, please ask them.