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Winter is fast approaching and with it flu season. 

Millions of people are being encouraged to book their flu vaccines online this week in a bid to ease NHS pressures this winter. 

While most sickened with the flu feel achy, exhausted and suffer from a sore throat, the virus can be life-threatening for the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. It can also raise the risk of complications for expectant mothers.

But an annual flu jab can help protect these vulnerable groups from becoming seriously ill.  

Here, MailOnline breaks down who can get the flu jab and how you can book it.

Already figures show that 3.7million people have received their flu jabs since the start of the campaign on September 11

Already figures show that 3.7million people have received their flu jabs since the start of the campaign on September 11

The flu can make most people feel groggy, with a cough, sore throat and a high temperature. But for some it can be much more serious

The flu can make most people feel groggy, with a cough, sore throat and a high temperature. But for some it can be much more serious

Who is eligible for the flu jab this winter?

The jab is available for free on the NHS for those who are most at risk of getting seriously ill with the flu.

This year, among the 30million eligible people are the over-65s; pregnant women; all children aged two or three; school-aged children; those in long-stay residential care homes; carers and close contacts of immunocompromised people.

Anyone who is under the age of 65 and has certain health conditions including diabetes, heart disease, some neurological diseases, liver disease or a weakened immune system (for instance due to being prescribed steroids or treated for cancer) are also able to get a free jab. 

Those with other long-term health conditions, such learning disabilities, HIV or have a BMI above 40 are also eligible.  

What does the jab cost?

Eligible groups can get the jab for free on the NHS.

But those not included in the criteria can pay to get the jab at some pharmacies or supermarkets.

Vaccines at Boots, Superdrug and Lloyds Pharmacy cost about £17 to 20. 

Tesco is also offering a private service to customers aged 12 and over for £13. 

How do you book the vaccine?

It is easy to book a flu jab and already figures show that 3.7million people have received their flu jabs since the campaign started on September 11.

Many people are also choosing to ‘do the double’ and receive flu and Covid vaccines at the same time.

Those that are eligible for an NHS flu jab can book an appointment via their GP surgery. Those aged over 18 can opt to book with a pharmacy that offers NHS flu vaccines or book the appointment on the NHS website. 

Some people may receive an invitation to get the jab, but you don’t have to wait for this to make a booking, the NHS says. 

It adds that the jab may also be offered to you through a local maternity service if you are pregnant, a care home or an employer if you are a frontline health or social care worker.

Does it have side effects?

Like most vaccines, the flu jab does sting a bit and have side effects.

But most of these are mild and only last a day or so.

Those over the age of 65 and people with certain long-term health conditions such as diabetes , asthma and coronary heart disease are able to get the jab free on the NHS

Those over the age of 65 and people with certain long-term health conditions such as diabetes , asthma and coronary heart disease are able to get the jab free on the NHS

Those over the age of 65 and people with certain long-term health conditions such as diabetes, asthma and coronary heart disease are able to get the jab free on the NHS

Feeling achy or having a slightly raised temperature for up to a few days is a common side effect caused by the immune system reacting to the vaccine.

You may also have a sore arm where the needle went in. 

To help ease the pain, the NHS suggests continuing to move your arm regularly and taking a pain killer such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. 

Severe side effects are extremely rare, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). One in a million people may get Guillain-Barré Syndrome, which causes muscle weakness and paralysis.

But the flu itself is deadly. Last winter, it is thought to have killed around 14,500 people in England. However, getting the vaccine slashes the risk of severe illness, hospitalisation and death. 

How effective are the jabs?

It is still possible to become infected by a strain of flu even after getting the vaccine, because several flu viruses are circulating all the time and no vaccine is 100 per cent effective. 

But despite this, getting the vaccine has been shown to cut the risk of being hospitalised by the flu.

Last winter 66 per cent less children; 25 per cent less adults aged 65 years and older and 33 per cent fewer other adults with underlying health conditions were hospitalised with flu, according to UKHSA. 

After getting the jab, if you do get the flu, it’s likely to be much milder and not last as long, the NHS says. 

It can also help to stop you from spreading the flu to other vulnerable people who could be at risk of falling seriously ill.

What is the flu? 

The flu is the name of a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.

It mainly infects the nose, throat but can sometimes reach the lungs.  

Most cases are mild but it can be deadly.

The flu is mostly spread through tiny droplets made when people with the virus cough, sneeze, or talk.  

Flu vaccines are considered the best protection against the the viruses but can take up to two weeks to work.

People need a flu vaccine every year as the viruses that cause the illness can change. 

Experts formulate the flu vaccines based on global data, in particular looking at the type of influenza viruses are spreading in the parts of the world going through winter.

It then takes about six months to produce sufficient quantities of vaccines.  

Flu symptoms can include: 

  • a sudden high temperature 
  • an aching body 
  • feeling tired or exhausted 
  • a dry cough 
  • a sore throat 
  • a headache
  •  difficulty sleeping 
  • loss of appetite 
  • diarrhoea or tummy pain 
  • feeling sick and being sick 

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This post first appeared on Daily Mail

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