Many people do not realise they are entitled to free flu and COVID-19 vaccinations each winter because their condition puts them at increased risk of being seriously ill or even needing a stay in hospital.
Below is a list of conditions, and if you are affected by them you should contact your GP surgery to arrange an appointment.
Flu
You should ask your GP or other healthcare professional for a flu vaccination if you have:
- conditions that affect your breathing, such as asthma (needing a steroid inhaler or tablets), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or cystic fibrosis
- heart conditions, such as coronary heart disease or heart failure
- chronic kidney disease
- liver disease, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis
- some conditions that affect your brain or nerves, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy
- diabetes or Addison’s disease
- a weakened immune system due to a condition such as HIV or AIDS, or due to a treatment such as chemotherapy or steroid medicine
- problems with your spleen, such as sickle cell disease, or if you’ve had your spleen removed
- a learning disability
- being very overweight – a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above
COVID-19
You may be entitled to a free COVID-19 vaccine if you have conditions such as:
- poorly-controlled asthma – this means you take steroid tablets or have taken more than one course in the last 2 years, or have needed hospital care for your asthma in the last 2 years
- other conditions that affect your breathing, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or cystic fibrosis
- heart conditions, such as coronary heart disease or high blood pressure (hypertension) with heart complications or chronic heart failure
- chronic kidney disease
- chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis
- stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
- some conditions that affect your brain or nerves and cause breathing problems, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy
- severe or profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD), including if you’re on the learning disability register, and this affects your breathing
- diabetes or Addison’s disease
- problems with your spleen, such as sickle cell disease, or if you’ve had your spleen removed
- a weakened immune system due to a condition such as blood cancer or HIV, or due to a treatment such as chemotherapy, or immunosuppressive or steroid medicines
- being very overweight – a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above
- severe mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (if you’re aged 16 or over)
- chronic digestive issues, such as severe gastro-oesophageal reflux that causes repeated chest infections (if you’re under 16)
- hypopituitary syndrome (if you’re under 16)
- some genetic disorders, such as mitochondrial disease and chromosomal conditions (if you’re under
If you have any of these conditions, arrange an appointment with your GP surgery to discuss your vaccination needs.
You can book both flu and COVID-19 vaccines for yourself online if you are eligible. Find out more.