• Pregnant women
• People aged 65 years and over 
• People or children aged six months to under 65 years with health problems such as;
           - Chronic respiratory disease, including severe asthma
           - Chronic neurological disease, including stroke
           - Chronic heart disease
           - Chronic kidney disease
           - Chronic liver disease
           - Diabetes
           - Lowered immunity due to disease or treatment

Other people, including healthy children, are at very low risk of serious illness if they catch flu. Only people in the eligible groups listed above should contact their GP ro arrange to receive a vaccine.

If you're at risk, get your flu jab

People who are classed as ‘high risk’ will be being called up to get the seasonal flu vaccination at their GP surgery.

The at risk groups include those aged over 65, those with existing health conditions which could be worsened by flu (see below), and healthy pregnant women.

Martin Samangaya is NHS Trafford’s immunisation coordinator. He said: “Flu is an unpleasant virus that can make people very unwell. Those who are at higher risk of catching and suffering badly with flu should make sure they take advantage of the opportunity to have the vaccine.”

“The flu vaccine contains a dead form of the virus so it cannot give you the illness. It works by exposing your body to the features of the virus so it can make antibodies. This means you’re protected if you then encounter the virus later on.”

Even if people have not had flu before, they should still consider having the flu jab to protect themselves and the people around them. “For most people, flu will mean an unpleasant few days, but for some it can be fatal, which is why it’s important to protect yourself from the virus,” added Martin.

The flu vaccine contains various strains of the virus that are most likely to be in circulation that year. This year, that also includes H1N1, or swine flu, along with two other flu strains. “The fact that this year’s vaccine includes H1N1 shouldn’t put people off. It’s actually a very positive thing to be included as H1N1 was a nasty strain of flu. This is just another layer of protection against winter influenza,” said Martin.

Pregnant women are being routinely offered the flu vaccine. “Getting the flu vaccine this year will protect expectant mums and also means their babies are less likely to catch flu,” added Martin.

“Getting the flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself against flu. However, following basic hygiene will also help Make sure you wash your hands often, especially after coughing or sneezing. To avoid the spread of germs always endeavour to cough or sneeze into a tissue and throw it away immediately. If you sneeze or cough into your hands or elbow wash your hands immediately.

“Taking simple precautions like these can lessen your chance of getting flu.”

All vaccines go through a strict approval process to ensure they are safe before they are given to the public.

What to do if you think you have flu

If you think you have the flu, stay in, keep warm, and drink plenty of fluids. Make sure you cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and throw that tissue away immediately, washing your hands afterwards. This will help stop the virus spreading to others around you.

If your symptoms persist, telephone your GP surgery for advice. Please do not attend A&E with flu like symptoms.

FAQs

What is seasonal flu?

Seasonal flu is caused by the influenza virus, which attacks the respiratory tract. It is highly infectious and occurs annually, particularly during the winter months, and can be a serious threat to health.

Why do I need a new vaccine each year?

The virus mutates constantly, which means that the vaccine also needs to be changed. The WHO (World Health Organisation) identifies the strains most likely to be in circulation that year, and vaccines that protect against those are then created.

What's in the vaccine this year?

This year's vaccine protects against H1N1, or swine flu, as well as H3N2 and an influenza B virus.

Why does it contain H1N1?

Earlier this year, the WHO confirms that H1N1 will be in circulation this year, and is likely to be the most predominant strain. This year's vaccine has been produced to meet the specific needs of the 2010/11 flu season, in which H1N1 will be circulating.

Why didn't last year's vaccine have H1N1 included?

The WHO decides on the strains to be included each February. By the time H1N1 was declared a pandemic, the seasonal flu vaccines were already being produced and it was too late to include H1N1 in it. A separate vaccine was therefore produced for H1N1.

If I had the H1N1 vaccine last year, do I still need this year's seasonal flu jab?

Yes, because it will also protect you against two other dominant strains of flu in circulation this year.