Winter Flu Programme 2023 / 2024

The flu is a contagious viral infection that spreads every winter. Getting the flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself against flu.

The best time to get the flu vaccine is before the flu season starts.

It is available from October to the end of April each year.

You can get a free flu vaccine if you are:

• age 65 years and older
• age 2 to 17 years
• a healthcare worker
• pregnant
• living in a nursing home or other long-term care facility
• in regular contact with pigs, poultry or waterfowl
• someone with a health condition that puts you at higher risk of flu
• living with someone who has a health condition that puts them at higher risk of flu
• a carer for someone who has a health condition that puts them at higher risk of flu

Health Conditions that put you at a higher risk of flu include:

• chronic heart disease, including acute coronary syndrome
• chronic liver disease
• chronic kidney failure
• chronic respiratory disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, moderate or severe asthma, or bronchopulmonary dysplasia
• chronic neurological disease including multiple sclerosis, hereditary and degenerative disorders of the central nervous system
• diabetes
• Down syndrome
• haemoglobinopathies
• a body mass index (BMI) over 40
• immunosuppression due to disease or treatment (including asplenia or hyposplenism, and all cancer patients)
• children with a moderate to severe neurodevelopmental disorder such as cerebral palsy
• children on long-term aspirin therapy
• any condition that can compromise respiratory function, like spinal cord injury, seizure disorder or other neuromuscular disorder, especially people also attending special schools or day centres