Obviously I know flu is not covid, but I started this topic within the COVID forum because flu levels were lower than usual in 2020 due to COVID interventions such as lockdowns, reduced international travel and mask wearing.
As a result, the Department of Health and Social Care are advising that there could be higher levels of flu this winter, with more of the population susceptible given the low levels last season.
They've widened the categories of who can get the flu jab for free:
all children aged 2 and 3 on 31 August 2021
all children in primary school and all children in school years 7 to 11 in secondary school
those aged 6 months to under 50 years in clinical risk groups
pregnant women
those aged 50 years and over
unpaid carers
close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
frontline health and adult social care staff
I presume there are people who have been told they cannot have the flu jab for medical reasons, just like with the COVID jab, but it seems a good idea for everyone who is able to have the flu jab to get it this year, given the possibility of increased levels of flu this autumn and winter and the stresses COVID is placing on the NHS.
Reducing the number of people in hospital with severe flu will surely help reduce pressure on the NHS. I've booked mine already through Lloyds but I think there are a variety of places you can go to get it. I am not in any of the categories that will be offered the flu jab for free this year so I am not sure of the various options they have.