Each autumn, flu season brings a flurry of clinics, conversations, and cold-chain checks. But amid the rush, it’s worth taking a step back to remind ourselves what flu actually is, why annual vaccination is so important, and where to find reliable information and training resources to support safe, confident practice.
What is flu?
Influenza isn’t ‘just a bad cold’ — it’s a highly infectious respiratory virus that can cause serious complications and hospitalisation, especially among older adults, young children, pregnant women, and those with chronic conditions.
There are several types of influenza viruses, but most seasonal epidemics in the UK are caused by types A and B. Because these viruses are constantly changing, new strains circulate each winter, which is one of the key reasons vaccination needs to be repeated every year.
Flu Symptoms
Flu usually comes on suddenly, with fever (often 38°C or higher), cough, sore throat, or runny, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, chills, or shivering
Children may also experience nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea. Most people recover within a week, but for some, it can lead to hospital admission or even death — particularly among older adults, young children, pregnant women, and those with long-term health conditions.
For more information to share with patients, the NHS flu page is a great resource:
👉 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/flu
Why do we vaccinate against flu each year?
The changing virus
Influenza viruses mutate regularly — a process known as antigenic drift. This means the strains that circulated last winter may be quite different from those we’ll see this year. The World Health Organization (WHO) and Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) monitor these global changes and recommend updated vaccine formulations each season.
Even if you had a flu jab last year, the protection it provided will have waned, and the circulating strains will likely have shifted. That’s why annual vaccination is essential.
The impact of flu
In most years, flu causes thousands of hospitalisations and deaths across the UK. It also puts extra strain on an already busy NHS, particularly during the winter months when other respiratory viruses are circulating.
Vaccination not only protects individuals but also reduces transmission — protecting the wider community, including those who may not respond well to the vaccine themselves.
The benefits of flu vaccination
- Reduces your chance of catching flu
- If you do catch it, symptoms are often milder and recovery quicker
- Lowers the risk of serious complications
- Helps reduce spread to family, friends, and patients
- Eases winter pressure on GP practices, hospitals, and social care
And let’s not forget — vaccination also protects us, the staff giving the vaccines. We spend long hours face-to-face with patients, so keeping ourselves well helps us continue caring for others.
Who should have the flu vaccine in the UK?
The NHS flu vaccination programme is reviewed every year. It focuses on people aged 65+ (or turning 65 before 31 March), those in clinical risk groups, pregnant women, children, carers, and frontline staff
Up-to-date details can always be found in the annual Flu Vaccination Programme Guidance for Healthcare Practitioners:
👉 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/flu-vaccination-programme-information-for-healthcare-practitioners
Flu vaccines: what’s available
There are different types of flu vaccine in use across the UK, chosen to suit different age or risk groups. This year’s vaccines are all trivalent – designed to protect against three strains of influenza virus predicted to be most common. Make sure you’ve attended your annual imms and vaccs update where these different types of vaccine are explained and discussed. All vaccines used in the UK are rigorously tested for safety and effectiveness.
Mild side effects such as soreness at the injection site, headache or mild fever are normal and short-lived. Serious side effects are very rare.
Useful resources about this year’s vaccines such as “Influenza vaccines marketed in the UK’ and “Flu Vaccines for the 2025 to 2026 season” can be found at:
👉 https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/annual-flu-programme
Supporting patients and addressing hesitancy
Even among regular patients, vaccine confidence can vary. Common questions you might hear include:
❓ “Can the flu jab give me flu?”
➡️ No. The injected vaccines do not contain live virus, so they can’t cause flu. The nasal spray is live but contains weakened virus that can’t cause illness in healthy people.
❓ “I’ve never had flu, so I don’t need it.”
➡️ That may be true so far, but immunity wanes and viruses change — even healthy people can get seriously ill from flu.
❓ “I had the jab last year — isn’t that enough?”
➡️ Protection fades and the circulating strains change, so a new vaccine is needed every year.
Having calm, confident conversations makes a big difference. The UKHSA and NHS have great printable leaflets and posters you can use in your clinics:
👉 Flu vaccination leaflets and posters – GOV.UK
Delivering flu vaccination: good practice for immunisers
Flu clinics can be hectic, but a bit of planning and structure goes a long way. Here are some key reminders for everyone involved in delivery:
1. Training and competence
All staff giving flu vaccines should be appropriately trained and up-to-date with local policy and national guidance, as well as knowledgeable and compliant with the UKHSA National Minimum Standards.
If entirely new to vaccination ensure you have attended an introductory course (either face to face or by interactive webinar)
- Each year ensure you attend an annual imms and vaccs update (either face to face or by interactive webinar)
- Review the Green Book and annual flu guidance
- Complete relevant e-learning modules (see below)
- Know your local patient group directions (PGDs) or patient specific directions (PSDs)
- Ensure you’re confident with vaccine types, contraindications and anaphylaxis management
Training resources:
👉 Flu Immunisation e-Learning for Health (e-LFH)
👉https://primarycarecpdtraining.co.uk/courses/immunisation-vaccination/
2. Vaccine storage and handling
- Maintain cold chain (2–8°C) at all times
- Monitor fridge temperatures and record daily
- Rotate stock and check expiry dates
- Prepare only what’s needed for each clinic
3. Record-keeping
Accurate records are vital — for safety, audit, and reporting.
- Record batch numbers, expiry dates, site, and route of administration
- Ensure data are entered promptly into GP or community pharmacy systems
4. Infection prevention and control
- Standard hand hygiene and PPE where appropriate
- Clean surfaces between patients
- Encourage good respiratory hygiene — tissues, bins, handwashing (“Catch it, Bin it, Kill it”)
5. Supporting the wider team
Many HCSWs and new vaccinators join flu clinics each autumn — check in with each other, share best practice, and support those less experienced. A confident, well-organised team creates a calmer clinic for everyone.
Monitoring the flu season
Throughout the winter, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) monitors flu activity through its weekly surveillance reports and dashboard. These include data on strain circulation, hospital admissions, and vaccine uptake.
You can check live data here:
👉 UKHSA Influenza Dashboard
Keeping an eye on trends can help you spot when cases are rising locally and plan your messaging and clinics accordingly.
Useful links and resources for immunisers
👉 https://primarycarecpdtraining.co.uk/useful-links/
In summary
Flu season is a challenge we face every year — but it’s also a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact. Every vaccination we give protects not only an individual but also the people around them.
As immunisers, we play a vital role in preventing illness, hospital admissions, and deaths each winter. Keeping ourselves informed, skilled, and supported means we can deliver safe, effective, and confident care — and that’s something to be proud of.
Try not to leave your immunisation training updates until the last minute. Primary Care CPD Training run flu updates beginning as early as June each year, giving you the opportunity to update well ahead of the busy flu season and at a time of year that may not be quite so busy within your practice!