It’s time to get your flu jab
Why should I get it?
Flu vaccination is available every year to help protect adults and children at risk from the flu virus.
The flu virus is unpleasant for most people, but it can be deadly for people who are already living with some health conditions. The flu virus kills around 10,000 people each year in England and Wales; that’s around one-quarter of the number of people that have died due to the coronavirus in UK hospitals this year.
Who is eligible for a free flu jab?
GP practices and community pharmacies are offering the free NHS flu virus vaccinations to all patients in the following categories
- those 65 years old or over
- those who are pregnant
- those with certain medical conditions
- those living in a long-stay residential care home or another long-stay care facility
- people receiving a carer’s allowance, or who are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if you fall ill
- people living with someone who’s at high risk of coronavirus (on the NHS shielded patient list) or you expect to be with them on most days over the flu season
- 50-64-year-olds.
What if I’m not on the list?
If you’re over 18 and not eligible for a free flu jab through the NHS, you’re able to get one from a local community pharmacy if you’d like one. This will cost around £10-15.
Contact your local pharmacy to arrange your flu jab. Click here to search for your local pharmacy’s details.
What do I do?
If you’re able to have a flu jab free through the NHS, you’ll get a letter asking you to contact your practice, usually by telephone, to make an appointment.
- Don’t go to your GP surgery in person to ask for an appointment. GP practices in Calderdale are only letting people into their buildings if they have been told to go by their GP.
- Many GP practices in Calderdale are holding special flu clinics clinics, which are only open to people who have pre-booked an appointment.
- You can call your local pharmacy to ask them about getting the flu jab. You can search for their contact details here
- Anyone getting a flu jab should be appropriately dressed in short sleeves, so the person administering the vaccine has easy access to your upper arm/s.
- If you are able to you will be asked to stand whilst the vaccination is given. Only flu vaccinations will be given in during your flu vaccine appointment.
- Please arrive on-time, and not too early for your appointment.
Any questions?
If you’re eligible for an NHS flu jab, call your GP surgery or local pharmacy to make an appointment, or to ask any questions about the process.
If you’re paying for your own flu jab, speak to your local community pharmacy.
Click here to search for your GP surgery’s contact details
Click here to search for your local pharmacy’s contact details
Frequently asked questions
[accordions id=’16391′]