Over a million people are eligible for this year’s free flu vaccine, as the Public Health Agency (PHA) launches the vaccination programme with a call for people to help protect themselves and others this winter.

Dr Joanne McClean, Director of Public Health at the PHA, said: “Flu is far worse than a bad cold and can cause serious complications, in some cases leading to hospitalisation or death. 

“We’re lucky to have a free vaccination programme that can reduce your risk of getting flu and of becoming very unwell. The flu virus changes each year, so the vaccine is updated annually, meaning it's important to get vaccinated again this year even if you or your children have received a flu vaccine before.

“Consent forms have already been going home in schoolbags for children between P1 and Year 12. These are paper forms, so I would ask parents to check with their children if they have received them. School nurses are not able to give the vaccine to children without a completed form. Pre-schoolers aged two and above can get vaccinated through their GP surgery. We know that children play a role in the spread of flu, so getting them vaccinated helps protect not only them, but also more vulnerable people in our families and community, including babies, grandparents and pregnant women.

“Children get the vaccine as a quick, painless spray up the nose – it only takes a second, but can help provide the protection needed for them and others over the winter, so it’s important that parents and guardians of schoolchildren sign and return the consent form. For pre-schoolers, arrangements should be made through GP surgeries. 

“We’ve seen a reduction in uptake of the flu vaccine among children over the past few years, so we can’t become complacent.

“Pregnant women can also get the free flu vaccine to help protect themselves and their baby, regardless of the stage of pregnancy. Flu infection during pregnancy can be very harmful to mum and baby, but the vaccine is safe and women can get it through their maternity unit, GP practice or community pharmacy.”

Last flu season, there were over 2,400 hospital admissions due to community-acquired flu infection – that’s equivalent to the entire population of towns such as Portaferry, Glenavy or Irvinestown – with admission rates highest in the older population and in young children.

Other groups eligible for vaccination include people aged 65 and over, adults with some long-term conditions, care home residents, carers, close contacts of people who are immunocompromised, and all health and social care workers including independent sector care home and home care staff. This year, people working in or regularly visiting poultry, swine or cattle units or processing units, and people who are rough sleepers or use homeless hostels, will also be eligible. Vaccination for adults is a single jab.

The vaccination programme will officially roll out from 1 October and is being delivered by GP surgeries, community pharmacies and Health and Social Care Trusts, including school nursing teams, and people are asked to work with our health service so that the programme can be delivered in a timely and well-managed way. The COVID-19 vaccination programme is planned to start the following week, from 8 October. Some people who are eligible for both the flu jab and COVID-19 vaccination may be offered both at the same appointment – this is a safe and effective way to receive them.

Everyone who is eligible for vaccination should make themselves aware of their own GP surgery, community pharmacy or trust vaccination arrangements, and look out for their children’s consent form coming home in schoolbags and make sure to sign and return it.

For more information on who is eligible and where to get the flu vaccine, see www.nidirect.gov.uk/flu