Seasonal flu vaccination campaign

Seasonal flu vaccination booklet

Seasonal Flu Questions and Answers

Q1. What can I do to avoid catching seasonal flu?

A1. If you are 65 or over, or have certain conditions, you are especially at risk of developing serious complications as a result of flu. You are eligible for a free seasonal flu jab, and this is the best way to guard against potentially life-threatening consequences of contracting flu. General tips to help avoid spreading germs to others and avoid picking them up yourself include always carrying tissues, covering your cough and sneeze with a tissue, disposing of the tissue after one use, and cleaning your hands as soon and as often as you can.

Q2. How do I know if I have seasonal flu and not just a cold?

A2. Patients with seasonal flu typically have a fever or a high temperature (over 38°C / 100.4°F) and two or more of the following symptoms:

• unusual tiredness
• headache
• runny nose
• sore throat
• shortness of breath or cough
• loss of appetite
• aching muscles
• diarrhoea and/or vomiting

Q3. How many people get seasonal flu each year?

A3. This will vary widely from year to year.

Q4. How do I know if I need to go to the surgery for a seasonal flu jab?

A4. All those aged 65 years and over and other individuals below that age, including children, who suffer from certain conditions such as asthma, heart disease and diabetes should have the vaccine.

The free seasonal flu vaccination is recommended if you have:

• a heart problem
• a chest complaint or breathing difficulties including, bronchitis, emphysema
• a kidney disease
• lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as steroid medication or cancer treatment)
• a liver disease
• had a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
• diabetes
• a neurological condition e.g. multiple sclerosis (MS) or cerebral palsy
• a problem with, or removal of, your spleen e.g. sickle cell disease.

This year the seasonal flu vaccination is also being offered to pregnant women who didn’t have the swine flu vaccine last year, as it offers protection against the H1N1 virus.
You should also have the seasonal flu vaccination if you live in a residential or nursing home, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person.

Paid and unpaid carers are also eligible for the seasonal flu vaccine, so that they stay healthy in order to benefit those they look after.

Q5. Why is the seasonal flu vaccination being offered to pregnant women?

A5. This is because the H1N1 virus will still be circulating this winter and pregnant women who catch this strain are at an increased risk of severe disease and flu-related hospital admissions.

Q6. Will the seasonal flu vaccine make me ill?

A6. The seasonal flu vaccine is very well tolerated by most recipients but there are some fairly common side effects. The vaccine does not contain any live viruses, so it cannot give you seasonal flu. Some people get a slight temperature and aching muscles for a couple of days after having the seasonal flu vaccine, and your arm may feel a bit sore where you were injected. Any other side effects are rare and are minor compared with the risks associated with seasonal flu.

Q7. How effective is the seasonal flu vaccine?

A7. Most people who have the seasonal flu vaccination will not get seasonal flu. However, like any vaccine, it does not give 100% protection. In years where the vaccine is well matched to the circulating viruses out of every 100 people who have the vaccine, 70-80 may be protected, while others who have had the vaccine and catch flu are more likely to get milder symptoms.

The seasonal flu vaccination will not protect you against:

• the common cold
• other winter viruses.

Q8. Do I just need to have the vaccination every year?

A8. Yes. The virus changes every year as does the vaccine. So don’t assume that you don’t need another vaccination because you had one last year. It is best to have the seasonal flu vaccination annually in the autumn before any outbreak of seasonal flu.

Q9. Does the seasonal flu vaccine protect me against swine flu?

A9. Yes. This year’s seasonal flu vaccine will protect you against swine flu.

Q10. If I go to my GP to get the seasonal flu vaccine won’t I just be exposing myself to other viruses in the waiting room?

A10.The best way to protect yourself is to have the seasonal flu vaccination particularly if you are at an increased risk from seasonal flu. Preventing the spread of germs is the most effective way to slow the spread of flu. Always:

• ensure everyone washes their hands regularly with soap and water,
• clean surfaces regularly to get rid of germs, use tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and put used tissues in a bin as soon as possible and wash hands.

Q11. Should children be given the seasonal flu vaccine?

A11 If you have a child who has one of the conditions listed below or who has previously been admitted to hospital with a serious chest or respiratory condition, they may not be able to recover from seasonal flu as well as other children can. They are more likely to be very ill if they catch seasonal flu, and it could make their existing condition worse. Talk to your GP or practice nurse about your child having the seasonal flu vaccination.

• a heart problem
• a chest complaint or breathing difficulties including, bronchitis, emphysema
• a kidney disease
• lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as steroid medication or cancer treatment)
• a liver disease
• had a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
• diabetes
• a neurological condition e.g. multiple sclerosis (MS) or cerebral palsy
• a problem with, or removal of, their spleen e.g. sickle cell disease.

Q12. Why isn’t the seasonal flu vaccination being offered to all under 5s this year as the swine flu virus is still circulating?

A12. A number of children in this age group will have received the monovalent swine flu vaccine already last year and this year and this should continue to protect them. Studies have also shown that a substantial proportion of children were exposed and have developed immunity to the swine flu virus already.

Q13. Can the seasonal flu vaccine be given at the same time as other vaccines?

A13. Yes, the seasonal flu vaccine can be given at the same time as the routine childhood vaccines and at the same time as pneumococcal vaccine. The vaccination should be delayed if you or your child has a fever, but it can be given if they have a minor illness such as a cold.

Q14. Is there anyone who shouldn’t have the seasonal flu vaccination?

A14. Most people can have the vaccine, but you should not be vaccinated if you have had a serious anaphylactic allergy to the vaccine in the past, or if you have a serious allergy to hens’ eggs.

In addition, not all of the seasonal flu vaccines available this year are suitable for children under five years of age. Please make sure that you discuss this with your GP beforehand. 

Q15. Is the H1N1 swine flu vaccine still available?

A15. Most people will only be offered the seasonal flu vaccine this autumn. However, the H1N1 swine flu vaccines will be offered to some people in addition to the seasonal vaccine. Please speak to your GP if you are unsure of what vaccine you need.

Q16. Does the seasonal flu vaccine contain old stocks of the swine flu vaccine?

A16.The seasonal flu vaccine is a new vaccine that protects against the swine flu strain and does not contain previously manufactured swine flu vaccine.