I’m healthy, why should I get the flu jab?

For most people the flu is just an inconvenience, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be protected.

For most people, flu is just an annoying illness which puts them out of action for a few days. You might have coped with the flu easily before, or you might never have had it, but that doesn’t mean you should skip the flu jab. The vaccine does more than protect you.

If you’re in an at-risk group but haven’t caught the flu before, you absolutely should have the flu jab. At-risk groups include young children, over-65s and people with a long-term health conditions, amongst others. If you meet any of these criteria you’ll be eligible for a free flu jab from your local pharmacy or your GP surgery, as you’ll be at an increased risk of experiencing complications from the virus. Read more about who is eligible for a free flu jab in England and Wales.

Even if you’re not eligible for the NHS jab, it’s wise to get a flu jab to help protect those around you who may be vulnerable, such as grandparents, young children or pregnant women. If you’re the main carer for someone and live in England or Wales, you may be able to get the free flu jab. This protects the person you care for, and means you’re less likely to get ill and be unable to care for them. Even if the people you live and work with aren’t at risk, you’ll still be protecting your loved ones from flu by getting the jab.

If you catch the flu you can be out of action for several days, which of course can mean taking time off work. The average work takes 4.6 sick days a year, most of which are for flu. Around 15-20% of UK workers take time off work each year for the virus. If you’re an employer, consider our corporate flu jab scheme to protect your employees.

We want to make it as easy as possible for you to look after your health. Whether it's getting your flu jab without an appointment or getting your prescriptions delivered to your door, we're making it easy to manage your health. Our online prescription delivery service means you never have to worry about missing a prescription again.