Each year, as part of the National Flu Immunisation Programme - Public Health England (PHE) produces a flu plan with an aim to reduce the impact that flu has.

National Guidance: Protection against flu can be provided by

1. Direct immunisation of individuals
2. Indirectly through Herd Immunity (recent expansion to include school aged children -  supports Herd immunity)

2019/2020 Winter Flu Plan

The update from PHE issues on the 22nd March 2019 confirmed the following groups as eligible for an NHS flu vaccination:

• All children aged two to ten on 31st August 2019
• Those ages six months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (Chronic respiratory disease, chronic heart disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, chronic neurological disease, diabetes, immunosuppression, splenic dysfunction and morbid obesity)
• Pregnant women
• Those aged over 65 years
• Those in long-stay residential care homes
• Carers
• Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
• Front-line health and social care workers

For full details on the NHS flu vaccination you should read the NHS PGD and service specification.