Why am I being asked to wait to have my flu vaccine?
You can get a free flu vaccine if you are: aged 65 years old and over (including those aged 65 by 31 March 2021); have certain health conditions; are at high risk from coronavirus (on the NHS shielded patient list) or live with someone who is; are pregnant; or receive a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer of an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick. Children aged 2 to 11 years old on the 31 August 2020 are also eligible for the flu vaccine (with school-aged children being offered it in school).
Some health and social care workers can also get a flu vaccine at a GP surgery or pharmacy. This year the free flu vaccine will be offered to healthy 50 to 64-year-olds later in the season.
This season, early demand for the flu vaccine has been higher than usual due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. This means that some GP practices and pharmacies will have to ask people to wait until they receive further deliveries.
Overall there is no shortage of flu vaccine with enough ordered to vaccinate 30 million people. However, it is usual for manufacturers to stagger deliveries of vaccine so you may have to wait to receive your vaccination.
Downloads
For more information about the flu vaccine and supplies, download the Public of Health England leaflet.
