NHS Scotland strongly recommends those eligible get their free flu vaccine this year. This is for three reasons:

1. Flu can be serious and life threatening. Every year thousands of people in Scotland are hospitalised with flu

2. To reduce the risk of you spreading flu to friends and family

3. To reduce the pressure that a spike in seasonal flu would put on our NHS on top of COVID-19

The flu vaccine is safe and it doesn't contain any live viruses so it cannot give you flu. By getting the vaccine you are not just helping yourself and your loved ones, you are also doing your bit to help our NHS during the peak winter period.

The following groups are eligible for the free flu vaccine:

*Anyone aged 65 and over (by 31 March 2021)

*Those aged 55-64 (immunisation will begin from December 2020)

*Those over 6 months of age with a medical condition which puts them in an 'at risk' group such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis, heart and lung diseases, autoimmune disorders or sickle cell disease

*Family members living in the same household as those who have previously been shielding from COVID-19

*Pregnant women (including those with 'at risk' conditions)

*Primary school children

*Children aged 2-5 years (children must be aged 2 years or above from 1st September and not yet in school)

*NHS Scotland health and social care workers

*Social care workers

*Young and unpaid carers

This year, due to Coronavirus, flu clinics are running differently to previous years. Please contact your own health centre to book your flu vaccine appointment and to find out about the procedures which are being put in place for your own safety.