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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 you have any questions about the vaccine or your eligibility, please do not hesitate to contact the health board on 0300 303 8322 or by emailing ask.hdd@wales.nhs.uk and we’ll be happy to advise you.

Please see below to check if you are eligible for this year’s flu vaccine.


Children aged 2 and 3 (on 31 August 2023)

The children's nasal spray flu vaccine is safe and effective and is given to thousands of children every year to help protect them against flu.

Parents are strongly encouraged to ensure their child receives their annual flu nasal spray vaccine to help lessen their risk of complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia should they catch the virus this winter.
 

Aged 65 or over

Flu vaccination is one of the best ways to protect against catching and spreading flu. Protection starts around two weeks after having the vaccine.

Flu viruses are constantly changing. Each year flu vaccines are changed to match the flu viruses likely to be circulating so it is important to have your flu vaccine every year.

Like all medicines, no vaccine is completely effective. You might still get flu, but your symptoms are likely to be milder. Flu vaccines do not protect against colds, other respiratory viruses, or other winter illnesses.

 

NHS staff

If you have regular patient contact, you are eligible for both the seasonal flu and autumn COVID-19 vaccine. We strongly advise eligible staff to receive their vaccines as early as possible.

Flu vaccinations for staff will be available in several ways to help make it as accessible as possible.

  • Peer vaccinators: We have over 100 more peer vaccinators compared to last year who are trained to give the flu vaccine to colleagues. Ask your ward or department manager who your local peer vaccinator is.

Have you received your flu or COVID-19 vaccine from your GP?
If you work for Hywel Dda UHB and have received your flu and/or COVID-19 vaccine at your GP practice or community pharmacy, please ensure you inform occupational health as soon as possible so your staff record can be updated accordingly. You can do so by completing this form (opens in new tab).

People with a long-term health condition, severe mental health illness or learning disability that put them at risk (from 6 months to 64 years old)

You are eligible for a seasonal flu vaccine if you are aged six months to 64 years and have a long-term health condition, severe mental health illiness or learning disability that puts you at increased risk from flu, including but not limited to:

  • Diabetes
  • A heart problem
  • A chest complaint or breathing difficulties, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma that requires regular steroid inhalers or tablets
  • Kidney disease (from stage 3)
  • Lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (and also close contacts of people in this group)
  • Liver disease 
  • Had a stroke or mini stroke
  • A neurological condition like Parkinson’s disease, or motor neurone disease
  • A missing spleen or a problem with it
  • Learning disability 
  • Severe mental illness
  • Morbidly obese (class III obesity). This is defined as those with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or above, aged 16 or over.
  • Epilepsy

 

Pregnant women

Vaccination during pregnancy can help prevent disease or make illness less serious for you and your baby. This is because the antibodies you develop are passed to your unborn baby, helping to protect them in their first few weeks of life.

You can have the flu vaccine at any time during your pregnancy. The flu vaccine is recommended every time you’re pregnant, even if you have had the vaccine before.  Getting vaccinated each flu season protects you against new strains of the virus and reduces the risk of spreading flu to your baby.

More information about the flu and other vaccinations offered in pregnancy are available on the Public Health Wales website (opens in new tab).

 

Carers from aged 16

If you are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person who may be put at risk if you became ill, you should be offered a free seasonal flu vaccine.

You should also be offered one if you're receiving Carer's Allowance. If you feel this applies to you, please request one from your GP surgery or participating community pharmacy. 

You may also be eligible for a free flu jab if you are aged 65+, pregnant or have a certain health condition. 

 

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.

 

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