Your flu vaccine
Protect yourself from the risk of serious illness with the annual NHS flu vaccine
The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against the flu is to get the annual NHS flu vaccine. The vaccine can prevent you getting the flu, reduce the severity of symptoms if you do, and help to prevent you passing it on to other vulnerable people.
Flu vaccines are quick and very safe. They can prevent weeks of serious illness, and protect you, your family and the wider community.
Am I eligible and how do I get a flu vaccine?
Following advice from the the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and the Welsh Government, the following groups are eligible to receive a free NHS flu vaccine this winter. Click on the heading to learn more about how members of each group can receive their vaccine here in North Wales.
About influenza
Flu can be very serious. It is caused by a virus, which is spread by coughs and sneezes. Symptoms of flu can be mild but can also lead to more serious illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia (lung infections), which may need treatment in hospital.
Flu is very infectious, and symptoms can come on very quickly. Symptoms of flu include a high temperature, tiredness and weakness, headache, aches and pains and a cough. More information about flu is available from NHS 111 Wales.
There are outbreaks of flu most winters. In a normal winter, thousands of people will die from flu-related illnesses in the UK.
Having a flu vaccine every year is one of the best ways to protect against flu. It can prevent you getting the virus, reduce the severity of your symptoms if you do get the virus and help to prevent you passing the virus on to others – including people who might be more vulnerable.