Influenza ("Flu")

You can check who the NHS will provide a vaccine for here: https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/flu-vaccine/

You can still get a flu vaccine from us privately whether or not you are elligible for it free on the NHS.

The nasal flu vaccine is routinely offered by the NHS for children. It is not usually available privately, but sometimes surplus supplies from the NHS campaign become accessible for private use. Please contact us later in teh flu season if you would like to check if any has been made available to us.

The flu virus changes each year, so annual vaccination is recommended. Protection from the vaccine also wanes after around 6 months, meaning last year’s dose may not protect you through the following winter. For the best protection, it’s advised to have your vaccine in the autumn, so immunity is strongest during the peak flu season.

Almost all adults and children can benefit from the flu vaccine. It is particularly recommended for older adults, young children, pregnant women, and people with long-term health conditions.

Whilst we often use the word flu freely, not every cough, cold, or respiratory illness is true flu. Influenza (“flu”) is a viral illness caused by influenza viruses, which infect the nose, throat, and lungs. Symptoms are usually more sudden and severe than a common cold, with fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, and tiredness.

Flu viruses come in different strains, and these strains change over time as new ones evolve.

This is why the flu vaccine is updated each year and why annual vaccination is recommended.

What are the differences between TIVe and TIVr flu vaccines?

• TIVe (standard flu vaccine) – A trivalent vaccine that protects against four common flu strains. It is suitable for almost all adults and children, and is the standard option for most people.
• TIVr (enhanced flu vaccine) – Also trivalent, but specially designed for older adults (65+). It contains an adjuvant that helps create a stronger immune response. Studies suggest it may give better protection in this age group, where the immune system responds less strongly to standard vaccines.

In summary: TIVe is suitable for most people, while TIVr is recommended for those aged 65 and over for added protection.

This winter has seen one of the highest flu rates in many years, and demand for vaccines has surged well beyond what manufacturers predicted. Pharmaceutical companies estimate annual demand in advance, but when a season like this hits - with far greater uptake than expected - supplies become much harder for wholesalers and clinics to secure. Inevitably, prices rise in these high-demand years.

At 222 Healthcare, we have two choices when this happens:

1. Stop offering vaccinations once initial stock runs out, or
2. Continue providing the service by sourcing additional doses, even when suppliers increase their prices.

Currently we are choosing to do our absolute best to continue offering flu vaccines so that patients still have access when they need them, but this does mean adjusting our costs to reflect the significantly higher purchase price.

If supply stabilises later in the season, we will adjust pricing accordingly.