The following information will help you choose the correct eligibility for a FREE NHS Flu jab

65 years and over (or will be 65 by 31/March/2024)

Including those becoming age 65 years by 31 March 2024.

Chronic (long term) respiratory disease, such as severe asthma, COPD

Asthma that requires continuous or repeated use of inhaled or systemic steroids or with previous exacerbations requiring hospital admission. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) including chronic bronchitis and emphysema; bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, interstitial lung fibrosis, pneumoconiosis and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Over 18 years of age.

Chronic heart disease, such as heart failure

Congenital heart disease, hypertension with cardiac complications, chronic heart failure, individuals requiring regular medication and/or follow-up for ischaemic heart disease. Over 18 years of age.

Chronic kidney disease at stage three, four or five

Chronic kidney disease at stage 3, 4 or 5, chronic kidney failure, nephrotic syndrome, kidney transplantation. Over 18 years of age.

Chronic liver disease

Cirrhosis, biliary atresia, chronic hepatitis. Over 18 years of age.

Chronic neurological disease e.g. Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease or learning disability

Stroke, transient ischaemic attack (TIA). Conditions in which respiratory function may be compromised due to neurological disease (e.g. polio syndrome sufferers). Clinicians should offer immunisation, based on individual assessment, to clinically vulnerable individuals including those with cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, multiple sclerosis and related or similar conditions; or hereditary and degenerative disease of the nervous system or muscles; or severe neurological disability. Over 18 years of age.

Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes requiring insulin or oral hypoglycaemic drugs, diet controlled diabetes. Over 18 years of age.

Immunosuppression, a weakened immune system due to disease e.g. HIV or treatment e.g cancer

Immunosuppression due to disease or treatment, including patients undergoing chemotherapy leading to immunosuppression, bone marrow transplant, HIV infection at all stages, multiple myeloma or genetic disorders affecting the immune system (e.g. IRAK-4, NEMO, complement disorder). Individuals treated with or likely to be treated with systemic steroids for more than a month at a dose equivalent to prednisolone at 20mg or more per day. It is difficult to define at what level of immunosuppression a patient could be considered to be at a greater risk of the serious consequences of influenza and should be offered seasonal influenza vaccination. This decision is best made on an individual basis and left to the patient’s clinician. Some immune-compromised patients may have a suboptimal immunological response to the vaccine. Over 18 years of age.

Asplenia or splenic dysfunction

This also includes conditions such as homozygous sickle cell disease and coeliac syndrome that may lead to splenic dysfunction. Over 18 years of age.

Morbid obesity (BMI ≥ 40kg/m²)

Adults with a Body Mass Index ≥ 40kg/m². Over 18 years of age.

Pregnant women (including those women who become pregnant during the flu season)

Pregnant women aged 18 or over at any stage of pregnancy (first, second or third trimesters).

People living in long-stay residential care homes or other long-stay care facilities

Vaccination is recommended for people aged 18 or over living in long-stay residential care homes or other long-stay care facilities where rapid spread is likely to follow introduction of infection and cause high morbidity and mortality. This does not include, for instance, prisons, young offender institutions, or university halls of residence. For the pharmacy service this only applies to those aged 18 or over.

Carers

People aged 18 or over who are in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an older or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill.

Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals

People who are close contacts, aged 18 and over, of immunocompromised individuals, specifically individuals who expect to share living accommodation on most days over the winter and, therefore, for whom continuing close contact is unavoidable.

Frontline health and social care workers

Health & social care staff, employed by a registered residential care/nursing home or registered domiciliary care provider, who are directly involved in the care of vulnerable patients/clients who are at increased risk from exposure to influenza. Vulnerable means those patients/clients in a clinical risk group for flu or who are aged 65 years and over. Over 18 years of age.

Hospice workers

Health and care staff, employed by a voluntary managed hospice provider, who are directly involved in the care of vulnerable patients/clients who are at increased risk from exposure to influenza. Vulnerable means those patients/ clients in a clinical risk group for flu or who are aged 65 years and over. Over 18 years of age.

Workers employed through Direct Payments and/or Personal Health Budgets to deliver domiciliary care

Health and social care workers employed through Direct Payments and/or Personal Health Budgets to deliver domiciliary care to patients and service users.

Not eligible for free NHS vaccination - Private service using RECOMMENDED cell-based vaccine - £18

If you are not eligible for free NHS vaccination in any of the categories given, we can vaccinate you privately for a fee of £18. This option uses the NHS recommended non-egg, cell based vaccine.

Not eligible for free NHS vaccination - Private service using egg-based vaccine - £15

If you are not eligible for free NHS vaccination in any of the categories given, we can vaccinate you privately for a fee of £15. This option uses the egg based vaccine.