Skip to main content

Eligibility for the vaccine

Flu is more likely to be serious if you have a long term health condition, are pregnant, or are older. The people at high risk of COVID-19 are generally the same people at increased risk of becoming very ill with flu.

Flu can also be serious for young children.

Last year in Wales, more than a million people got their flu vaccine. That’s around one in every three people.

If any of the following apply to you, even if you feel healthy, you are more likely to get complications from flu if you catch it, and you are advised to have a flu vaccine if:

  • You are pregnant
  • You are aged 65 or over
  • You are aged six months to 64 years and have a long-term health condition that puts you at increased risk from flu, including but not limited to:
    • Diabetes
    • A heart problem
    • A chest complaint or breathing difficulties, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma that requires regular steroid inhalers or tablets
    • Kidney disease (from stage 3)
    • Lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (and also close contacts of people in this group)
    • Liver disease 
    • Had a stroke or mini stroke
    • A neurological condition like Parkinson’s disease, or motor neurone disease
    • A missing spleen or a problem with it
    • Learning disability 
    • Severe mental illness
    • Morbidly obese (class III obesity). This is defined as those with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or above, aged 16 or over.
    • Epilepsy
  • You live in a care home
  • You are homeless


The following groups are also advised to have a flu vaccine to protect them and the people around them:

  • Children aged two and three years old (age on 31 August 2023)
  • Children and young people in school from Reception class to Year 11
  • Carers
  • People working directly with patients/clients in health or social care
  • First responders and members of voluntary organisations providing planned emergency first aid
  • Those who live with someone who has a compromised immune system

Most children and young people will get a nasal spray vaccine as this is the best flu vaccine for them. It is a fine mist sprayed up the nose, and can be given from the age of two.

If your child is eligible for a flu vaccine, you should be contacted by their GP surgery or school nurse. If you think your child might have missed their vaccine, contact the school nurse if they are school aged, or GP surgery if they are not in school.

If you think you might have missed the invitation for a flu vaccine, contact your GP or your community pharmacy.

 

How to get your flu vaccine

Children two or three years (age on 31 August 2023)  GP surgery (NB, in some areas, three-year-olds are offered the vaccine in nursery) 
Primary and secondary school children  Primary and secondary school 
Children aged 6 months to under 18 years with long term health condition   GP surgery (NB. primary and secondary school aged children will be offered their flu vaccine in school) 
Pregnant women  GP surgery, some community pharmacies or, in some areas of Wales from their midwife
Long term health conditions (adults)  GP surgery or some community pharmacies 
People aged 65 or over   GP surgery or some community pharmacies 
Unpaid carers  GP surgery or some community pharmacies 
Domiciliary carers   Community pharmacy (or in some areas, there are other arrangements)
Care home staff  Community pharmacy (or in some areas, there are other arrangements)
Health and social care workers  Via employer 

 

Adults

 

Children and young people