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INFLUENZA

Find most of the information you need in these resources

Always refer to your local signed PGD's in practice, and remember the Green Book takes priority over the SPmC - and sometimes WHO takes priority over the Green Book! They don't always say the same!

Keeping up to date: Things to know in practice for 25/26:

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DELIVERING THE CURRENT INFLUENZA SEASON: Definitely have a browse here – you will find everything you need regarding the latest information on flu including slide sets, posters, training modules, and administration videos

"The World Health Organization (WHO) has concluded that B/Yamagata lineages are no longer circulating and are unlikely to cause future epidemics, and that inclusion of a B/Yamagata antigen as a component of influenza vaccines is no longer warranted. WHO has stated that every effort should be made to exclude this as soon as possible, across all vaccine types. To this end, manufacturers have been preparing to move to trivalent formulations"

Things to know in practice for 26/27:

Reminders:

  • No need to expel the air bubble in pre-filled syringes

  • Don't forget travellers!

  • Store at 2–8°C; IM injection or nasal spray

  • Keep an eye on dual clinics with COVID boosters—often offered together. And look out for any info on combined flu and covid vaccines!

  • Children in clinical risk groups who have never received a vaccine for flu before should be offered two doses 1 month apart.

    Have YOU checked your own vaccine status as a HCP?

Other useful links and resources
Want to geek out? Go deeper here:

What is Influenza anyway?

Influenza—aka “flu”—is a contagious virus that comes around every year, just like bad Christmas telly. It mutates fast, spreads faster, and comes in seasonal waves. It’s not just a heavy cold—it can floor the fittest of us and cause serious complications, especially in vulnerable groups.

What happens If you catch it?

Think fever, chills, muscle aches, sore throat, cough, and “hit by a bus” fatigue. For most, it’s a week or two of misery. But for some—especially the very young, the elderly, or those with underlying health conditions—it can lead to pneumonia, hospitalisation, or worse.

How does It Spread?

It’s airborne—spread through coughs, sneezes, and shared air in crowded places (yes, public transport counts). You can also pick it up from surfaces if you touch your face before washing your hands. The virus can live for around 24 hours on surfaces. Most UK cases of flu occur between December and February.

Does getting flu make you Immune?

Not for long. Flu mutates regularly, so immunity to one strain doesn’t mean you’re protected against the next. That’s why the vaccine changes yearly and why an annual jab is essential for those at risk.

Can it be treated?

Antivirals like oseltamivir can help—but only if taken early (within 48 hours). Mostly, it’s about managing symptoms, staying hydrated, and letting it run its course. For high-risk individuals, early treatment is more important.

Who’s most at risk?

Infants under 6 months (especially before they can be vaccinated - hence the maternal vaccination program), pregnant people, adults over 65, healthcare workers and carers of young babies, and adolescents, people with long-term conditions (e.g. asthma, diabetes) and immunocompromised individuals.

Top reasons to encourage vaccination:

  • Prevents infant hospitalisation and death

  • Part of UK adult, maternal, and childhood schedule

  • Required in many healthcare roles. Protect yourself and your patients. Plus, prevent time off work (or worse, working while unwell)

  • Influenza leads to hundreds of thousands of GP visits and more than ten thousand hospital stays each year.

  • Flu epidemics can kill thousands or even millions of people. The 1918 flu epidemic is estimated to have affected half the world's population. 40-50 million people died worldwide. It could literally save a life

  • In the UK it is estimated that an average of 600 people a year die from complications of flu. In some years it is estimated that this can rise to over 10,000 deaths. The WHO estimates that between 250,000 and 500,000 people around the world die from the flu every year.

  • Protect the community. Around 1 in 3 people infected by the flu virus will not show any symptoms