Flu vaccine

This winter, the influenza vaccine protects against three strains of flu including the H1N1 strain which caused the outbreak of swine flu in 2009. This year’s vaccine also includes protection against H3N2 and B/Wisconsin/1 strains which have been active in the last couple of years.

Unlike a cold, flu can have serious symptoms, such as fever and aching limbs, and can lead to complications in some cases and especially in at-risk groups.

People living with HIV are considered to be an at-risk group and this advice is of particular importance to people with lower CD4 cell counts whose immune system could be said to be weakened.

Also considered at risk are the following groups:

• people aged 65 and over
• pregnant women 
• those with a serious medical condition (especially chronic heart or respiratory problems) 
• people living in a long-stay residential care home or other long-stay care facility 
• the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer is ill 
• frontline health or social care worker

Flu vaccinations can only be obtained through GP surgeries, not through HIV clinics and should be available from October this year.

There is further information about the flu jab on the NHS choices website.

There is also information from Department of Health including this year’s seasonal flu leaflet.

Find out more about accessing GP services.