Get Your Flu Vaccine
As flu season approaches, residents of Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes are being urged to protect themselves and their loved ones by getting the flu vaccine. Now available, the vaccine offers essential protection against the flu virus, which can cause serious illness, especially for vulnerable groups.
Older adults, young children, pregnant women, and individuals with certain long-term health conditions are among those most at risk of severe illness from flu. The good news is that they can help protect themselves and others by getting vaccinated. The flu vaccine is particularly recommended for:
- Those aged 65 and over.
- Pregnant women.
- Children aged 2 or 3 years (as of August 31, 2024).
- Primary and secondary school-aged children (Reception to Year 11).
- Individuals aged 6 months to 65 years in clinical risk groups.
- Health and social care workers.
The flu vaccine is free for the above eligible groups. For further details on eligibility, visit the NHS website.
Flu viruses evolve each season, and the vaccine is updated annually to provide protection against the most likely strains. Even if you were vaccinated last year, it’s crucial to get the updated vaccine this year for continued protection.
Pregnant women are especially encouraged to get vaccinated. Not only does the vaccine protect the mother, but it also passes protection to the baby, safeguarding them during their first few months of life when they are most vulnerable.
Flu can be severe for children, sometimes leading to hospitalisation or, in rare cases, death. During the 2022/23 season, over 6,000 children under five were hospitalised due to flu in England, with over 1,000 admitted in the week before Christmas alone.
To make it easy for parents, children are offered a quick and painless nasal spray vaccine. Most school-aged children will receive their vaccine at school, so parents should promptly sign and return consent forms. For pre-schoolers, parents will be contacted to schedule an appointment or can contact their GP practice directly.
Take action today—get your flu vaccine and help protect yourself and those around you this winter.
