Department of Health

Website of the Department of Health

Please note that this website has a UK government access keys system.

Flu FAQ

  • Last modified date:
    9 February 2007

Frequently asked questions about flu immunisation policy, vaccine and the implementation of policy.

Immunisation policy

What is the aim of the 'flu immunisation policy?

The aim is to reduce the serious morbidity and mortality due to 'flu by immunising those people most likely to have a severe or complicated illness due to 'flu.

Who should be immunised?

All those in whom the disease is more likely to be a serious illness, so immunisation is recommended for: - all people aged 65 years and over - those with chronic respiratory or heart disease, renal disease or diabetes mellitus and those who are immunocompromised - those living in long stay residential accommodation.

Has the policy changed?

Like last year, the risk groups recommended to be offered 'flu immunisation include all people aged 65 years and over. Since 1998 it had been recommended for all people aged 75 years and over.

Why are these groups targeted?

Complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia are more common in those with underlying diseases such as those mentioned above, especially if they are also elderly, and realted 'flu deaths are almost entirely in these groups. In long-stay residential accommodation influenza immunisation prevents rapid spread of infection causing outbreaks with high morbidity and mortality.

Why isn't 'flu vaccine recommended for everyone?

'Flu is not normally life threatening for healthy people, and the occasional bout of 'flu gives better long term protection than a flu vaccination. Immunising everyone would not represent the best use of current resources.

Can a GP immunise anyone else?

The final decision as to who should be offered immunisation is a matter for the patient's medical practitioner, based on the individual's medical history.

Why are you recommending health care workers are immunised?

We believe that it is appropriate to immunise frontline health care workers against flu to ensure that the services to treat the patients they care for are maintained. Immunising health care workers is part of prudent winter planning for the NHS. It ensures they do not pass on flu to their patients, but should also help the NHS maintain staffing levels during a flu epidemic when both GPs and other health services are partcularly busy and hard pressed.

Is the age recommendation likely to be extended in the future?

The current recommendations are based on existing evidence which shows clear benefits for those in the 'at risk' groups. DH policy on 'flu vaccination is regularly reviewed by an expert panel of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation in the light of all relevant evidence

Influenza vaccine

Does the 'flu vaccine work?

Immunisation is one of the most effective health care interventions, and 'flu vaccines are highly effective in preventing illness and reducing hospital admissions and deaths from 'flu. 

How do you know what type of 'flu to vaccinate against?

The World Health Organisation monitors the spread of influenza viruses world-wide, and recommends which virus strains to include in the vaccine to combat the likely prevalent strains. 

Are there any side effects from the vaccine?

Influenza vaccine is usually well tolerated. There may be temporary soreness at the site of injection. Rarely it can cause fever and muscle aches lasting up to two days, and very rarely it has been associated with Guillan-Barre syndrome.

Can the vaccine cause 'flu?

No. Influenza vaccine contains no live virus and cannot therefore cause 'flu. 

Is there anyone who should not be given a 'flu vaccine?

As the vaccine viruses are grown on eggs, people with severe allergy to hen eggs should not be given the vaccine.

Implementation of flu policy

What is being done to increase uptake this year?

GPs and primary care trusts are again being asked to organise their immunisation programmes in a systematic way, and targets are being set for immunisation among the 65 years of age and over group. This year we are aiming to reach an overall national uptake of 70% in those aged 65 and over.

Why have the uptake targets been set?

Increasing the uptake of 'flu vaccine among these groups provides a cost-effective method to prevent illness from 'flu, and also to prevent some hospital admissions during the winter months when NHS beds are needed for the normal winter illness burdens.

How will you achieve the target uptake?

The strongest influence on whether people are immunised or not is whether their doctor or nurse has recommended it. primary care trusts will be asked to work closely with GPs to help meet and monitor these targets. Examples of 'good practice' where high immunisation uptake has been achieved in the past will be circulated to encourage good practice everywhere. We are also planning advertising campaigns targeted at people in the recommended groups and their carers.

Do GPs get paid for giving 'flu vaccine?

The current positions is that when GPs in England administer the vaccine they are reimbursed a set cost for the vaccine, plus an administration fee. GPs negotiate with the vaccine manufacturers themselves to purchase the vaccine at discounted prices. In addition an item of service fee is payable for all people aged 65 years or over who are immunised.

What about targets in subsequent years?

We shall review the success of this years immunisation programme, and review future targets based upon these data. 

Can people get 'flu vaccine privately?

If people outside the recommended groups wish to make arrangements to pay for a 'flu vaccination privately, that is their choice.

Influenza 2003/2004

Are we expecting an epidemic this year?

It is not possible to predict how much influenza activity there will be in any one year, but we can be certain that 'flu will be around. 

When is influenza an epidemic?

Strictly speaking an epidemic is when more cases of an infectious disease occur than expected. Influenza occurs every year so the term is generally reserved for more severe years. The best guide we have for this is the number of people consulting their GP for 'flu-like illness.

Access keys