Flu Vaccination 2025 FAQs

It takes between 10 – 14 days for your immune system to respond fully after you have had the flu vaccine. The sooner your vaccinated – the sooner your protected!

Yes. The viruses that cause flu can change every year, which means the flu (and the vaccine) this winter may be different from last year.

No. The flu vaccine does not contain any live virus, so it cannot cause flu.

The best time to have a flu vaccine is in the autumn, before the flu virus starts circulating.

You may get a slight temperature and aching muscles for a couple of days afterwards, and your arm may feel a bit sore and red where you had the injection. If you experience any discomfort, you can take a paracetamol or other analgesic. If any side effects continue and you are concerned you should call 111 for advice.

It is safe to have the vaccination if you think you are or are pregnant or breast feeding. If you have any concerns about having the vaccination, please speak to the Nurse.

Healthy people can still develop serious complications as a consequence of flu or pass it to people around them who may not be so healthy, so everyone is encouraged to take up the offer of the flu vaccination.

If you can’t make the appointment, please let us know as soon as possible at [email protected]
so we can rearrange and/or offer the appointment to someone else.

This year there are several different vaccines available for those 65 years of age and over, those aged over 50 or 60 who are in a clinical risk group, those aged between 18 and 50 who are in a clinical risk group and individuals who are pregnant.

The range of vaccines available reflects the research into vaccine efficacy for different ages/risk groups. These vaccines are available as part of the NHS Influenza vaccination programme.

The vaccine offered today is an inactivated egg-based vaccine. Individuals in any of the groups mentioned above can have this vaccine as long as there are no true contraindications (allergy, significant current illness) but are advised to have the one for their recommended age/risk group as it is likely to be more effective. This can be discussed with the nurse at clinic if you wish.