A guide for people with a long-term health condition, from 6 months to 64 years old
Flu isn’t a heavy cold, it is a highly infectious disease.
For some, flu can lead to hospitalisation, permanent disability or even death.
Last year’s vaccine won’t protect you now – the flu virus keeps changing, so the vaccine must too.
Even if you feel well, those who have a long-term health condition are at higher risk of getting seriously ill.
Getting the flu vaccination is the best way to ensure you remain fit and well this winter while protecting those around you.
Who is considered to have a long-term health condition?
The vaccine is being offered to individuals aged 6 months to 64 years, who have a long-term health condition. This includes those who had or have:
- Problems with your chest or breathing, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma, that need regular steroid inhalers or tablets
- A heart problem
- Kidney disease (from stage 3)
- Liver disease
- Nerve conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease or motor neurone disease
- A learning disability
- Severe mental illness
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- A weak immune system due to illness or treatment
- A missing spleen or a problem with your spleen
- Being very overweight (a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more and aged 16 or over)
When will I receive my flu vaccine?
For adults the autumn/winter flu programme will run from Wednesday 1st October 2025 until the end of March 2026.
How will I get my vaccination?
Those eligible for the flu vaccination will either be given an appointment by your GP surgery or you can visit your community pharmacy. Please check pharmacy for local arrangements.
Ideally, you should receive your vaccine as early as possible, before flu begins to circulate. However, if you are diagnosed with a condition making you eligible for a flu vaccine, you can still receive your vaccine up until March 2026.
There is no need to contact your GP surgery or the health board. If you are eligible, you will be sent an appointment.
If you are a resident in a care home, or housebound, your vaccination will be offered either by primary care providers or the immunisation team.
How will children and young people be offered the vaccine?
Some children who have a long-term health condition may be vaccinated at school by their school nurses.
All children under the age of 16 will be offered the fluenz nasal spray.
Eligible children aged 2 and 3 years old will primarily receive their vaccine from their GP surgery.
Our school-based flu vaccination programme will be taking place from Monday 15th September to Friday 19th December across primary and secondary schools, from reception to year 11.
If you are a parent or guardian of a children not attending school, please contact your GP surgery to arrange vaccination.
Will I experience any side effects?
Very common side effects include:
- having a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where you had your injection for several days after the vaccine
- feeling tired
- headache
- general aches, or mild flu like symptoms
Nasal congestion/rhinorrhoea, reduced appetite, weakness and headache are common adverse reactions following administration of the vaccine.
These symptoms usually disappear within 1 to 2 days without treatment.
The immuniser will advise you on how to manage potential side effects at the vaccination appointment.
Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth a galwadau ffôn yn y Gymraeg neu'r Saesneg. Atebir gohebiaeth Gymraeg yn y Gymraeg, ac ni fydd hyn yn arwain at oedi. Mae’r dudalen hon ar gael yn Gymraeg drwy bwyso’r botwm ar y dde ar frig y dudalen.
We welcome correspondence and telephone calls in Welsh or English. Welsh language correspondence will be replied to in Welsh, and this will not lead to a delay. This page is available in Welsh by clicking ‘Cymraeg’ at the top right of this page.