An NHS GP has given his thoughts as to if it’s worth having the flu jab. Dr Abdul recently shared his advice to people who may be debating having the vaccine this autumn
As much as we don’t like to think about it, cold and flu season comes around every year. The weather is getting colder and people are staying indoors more, which means lots of bugs and viruses are doing the rounds.
Some people opt to get the flu jab every year in a bid to slash their chances of getting sick and to boost their health; however, others are always a little unsure about whether to commit to it. To help people out, an NHS doctor has recently given his verdict on if it’s really worth having and what people should know about the jab.
Now is the time to start thinking about it too, as it’s something that should be done sooner rather than later. It comes after reports uncovered the difference between generations’ contrasting attitudes towards flu.
Dr Abdul said: “One of the biggest problems with the flu vaccination is we don’t know how effective it is until the season is over. The flu vaccine is basically based on a best guess of what strains we think will be going around in the community.
“We look at, for example, Australia and New Zealand, which have already had the winter to come up with the vaccination that we have now. What we can do is look at the data for 2024.
“It basically reduced GP attedances somewhere between 35% to 55%, which is significant, but one of the biggest key factors the flu vaccine helped to prevent is hospitalisations. So anywhere between 38% to 75%, which is a significant amount because, obviously, flu places a big burden on hospital resources.”
When it comes to age groups, he said success rates can differ, as children actually have a higher success rate. He said one of the reasons for this is children are “snotty”, and they touch a lot of different things and spread germs.
This is why it often prevents the spread of disease more in children than adults. According to Dr Abdul, one of the key things the vaccine actually prevents is hospitalisations, and this is why people over the age of 65 are offered the jab.
He added: “We do know from 2024 that the flu vaccine was effective. Is it going to be effective this year? I can’t tell you, but what I can tell you is it will reduce your chances of having serious illness.”
Generally, effectiveness against hospitalisation differs, as it varies from 38% in adults aged 65 and over to 75% in children. Vaccine effectiveness fluctuates each year and can be lower in some populations.
The NHS website states: “The flu vaccine helps protect against flu, which can be a serious or life-threatening illness. It’s offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter to people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.
“The flu vaccine is recommended for people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu. It’s offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter.”
According to the NHS, you can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:
- Are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by March 31 2026)
- Have certain long-term health conditions
- Are pregnant
- Live in a care home
- Are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer’s allowance
- Live with someone who has a weakened immune system
However, you can also pay to have the flu jab, should you wish to. For further advice about this, contact your GP or pharmacy.