What is flu?

The flu vaccine is offered to the following groups of people who are most at risk from the serious complications of influenza infection:

• • All those 65 years and over.
  • People with serious medical conditions
  • Pregnant women
  • Children aged 2 and 3 (on August 31, 2018)
  • Children in reception class and school years 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

All those aged six months or over who have the following medical conditions:

Chronic Respiratory Disease

Chronic Heart Disease

Chronic Renal Disease

The NHS website gives more information on the flu vaccine.

When does the flu season start and end?

Flu occurs most often in the winter months and usually peaks between December and March, although it can start earlier.

Who is most at risk from flu?

Anyone can get flu, but it is more serious for people aged 65 years and over and people of any age with a chronic medical condition, particularly chronic respiratory and cardiac disease. Young children have a greater risk of being infected because they will not have had the opportunity to develop immunity to the virus.