Flu (influenza) can be a serious or even fatal illness, and each year causes thousands of people to become very ill. Like Covid-19, it is a viral infection that can be passed on through coughs and sneezes. If you have MS, you’re more at risk of becoming seriously ill from flu, even if you currently feel well.
By having the flu jab, you reduce your risk of having flu. If you do catch flu after having the vaccine, you are likely to have a milder illness. It is best to have your flu vaccine early, so that you are protected before any outbreaks of flu. You need a new jab each year, as the strains of flu that are circulating change over time.
You may be offered your flu jab at the same time as a Covid-19 vaccine booster dose. Research has shown that this is safe, and that both the flu vaccine and the Covid-19 vaccine remain effective when given together.
This year, the free vaccination is being offered to:
- all adults aged 65 and over
- people with some long-term health conditions, including MS.
- the main carer of an older or disabled person
- close contacts of immunocompromised people
- pregnant women
- children aged 2 to 4
- primary age schoolchildren
- secondary school children up to year 11
- Anyone living in a residential or care home.
Some other people not on this list may be able to get a free flu vaccine through their employer if they work in frontline health or social care.
If you are eligible for a free flu vaccine, you can book a vaccination appointment at a pharmacy online or using the NHS App, or through your GP surgery.
In Scotland you can use the online vaccination booking portal to book an appointment.
Almost everyone can have the vaccine, but you should not be vaccinated if you have ever had a serious allergy to the vaccine or any of its ingredients. Some formulations of the flu vaccine contain traces of egg. If you have a fever, you should wait until you feel better before having your flu jab.
Children are normally given a live vaccine in the form of a nasal spray. Children who are immunocompromised, have asthma, severe allergies to egg or the vaccine ingredients, or are currently wheezy may be offered an alternative injected vaccine.
Children who have had the nasal spray flu vaccine should avoid immunocompromised people for at least 2 weeks after they have the vaccine. If there is an immunocompromised person in their household then any children in the household should have an inactivated injected flu vaccine instead. The NHS information on children and the flu vaccine lists the vaccine ingredients and potential side effects of both injected and nasal flu vaccines.
If you have other questions or concerns about the flu jab and MS, you can read more details in our A-Z page on the flu jab. This page has information about the safety and effectiveness of the flu vaccine for people with MS, and details about the possible side effects you might notice.
