The flu has had a sleepy couple of years - due to people wearing masks, fewer social interactions and significantly reduced international travel, global levels of flu have been noticeably low since 2020. However, as social contact slides back to the pre-pandemic normal, there’s likely to be a surge in influenza activity this winter - so it’s really important that everyone who’s eligible for a flu vaccine seizes the opportunity to receive it.

Flus is a viral infection that affects the nose, mouth, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs. It’s extremely infectious, so it spreads very quickly in communities - especially since people with mild and no symptoms are able to infect others. Symptoms, when they do appear, include a sudden fever, chills, a headache, muscle and joint pain, along with fatigue. You might also suffer from a dry cough, a sore throat and a stuffy nose. In young children, the flu can manifest as vomiting and diarrhoea.

Most people can get through the flu with plenty of rest and some medicines that are designed to treat the uncomfortable symptoms of the virus. However, there are people who are at risk of flu complications. Children under the age of 6 months, older people, pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions are particularly vulnerable. Flu immunisation is one of the most effective ways we can reduce harm from flu and pressures on the health services this winter, and prevent flu infection through vaccinations.

This year, the flu vaccine will be offered to:

• All children aged 2 to 3

• All primary school aged children

• Secondary school children

• Those aged 6 months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups

• All pregnant women

• Those aged 65 years and older

• Those aged 50 to 64 years old not in clinical risk groups

• Those living in long-stay residential care homes

• Carers

• Close contacts of individuals who are immunocompromised

• Frontline staff

Anyone eligible should be given the flu vaccination as soon as it’s available, so they’re protected when flu begins to move through the community. Ideally, you should be vaccinated by the end of December - that’s when flu usually peaks.

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By reducing transmission of flu, we can avert severe flu and flu-related deaths in older adults and people in clinical risk groups. Speak to your local pharmacist today about whether you’re eligible for a flu vaccination at your community pharmacy.