Important:

Book your flu vaccine now at Charlotte Keel

Get your flu vaccine at Charlotte Keel

If we invite you for a flu vaccine, please book as soon as you can.


Flu can make you very ill, especially in winter. The vaccine helps protect you, your family and our community.

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Notice

How to book your flu vaccine at Charlotte Keel

If you are registered with Charlotte Keel and think you should have a flu vaccine:

1. Request an appointment online (quickest way)

  • Use Patient Triage on our website (Request an Appointment) or use the NHS APP

  • Tell us you are asking for a “flu vaccine”

  • Our team will look at your request and contact you with the next step or an appointment

2. Call us

  • Phone reception on 0117 902 7145

  • Tell the team you are asking about a flu vaccine

We may also text or write to invite you if our records show you are at higher risk from flu. You do not have to wait for an invite to contact us. 

Why have the flu vaccine?

Flu is not just “a bad cold”. It can:

  • Make you feel very unwell for days

  • Trigger serious problems if you already have a health condition

  • Lead to time off work, school or caring for others

  • Send more people to hospital, especially older people and young children

The flu vaccine:

  • Lowers your chance of getting flu

  • Makes flu milder if you do catch it

  • Helps stop flu spreading to people who are more at risk

You need a flu vaccine every year because flu viruses change over time. 

Who can get a free NHS flu vaccine?

You may be able to get a free flu vaccine if you are: 

Adults

  • Aged 65 or over

  • Aged 18 to 64 and have an ongoing health problem (for example with your lungs, heart, kidneys, liver, brain or nerves, diabetes, a learning disability, very high weight, or low body defences)

  • Pregnant

  • Living in a care home

  • The main carer for an older or disabled person, or you get a carer’s allowance

  • Living with someone who has very low body defences (for example, because of cancer treatment)

Children

  • Aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August (registered with a GP)

  • Any school-aged child from Reception to Year 11 (usually at school)

  • Aged 6 months to 17 years with certain long-term health problems 

If you’re not sure if you or your child can have a free flu vaccine, please ask us or check the NHS website (search “flu vaccine”).

What happens at your flu appointment?

  • You’ll see a trained clinician

  • They will check the vaccine is safe for you and answer any questions

  • Most adults have a quick injection in the top of the arm

  • Most children have a gentle nasal spray up the nose, not an injection 

The appointment is usually very quick. You can normally go home or back to work straight away.

Is the flu vaccine safe?

Flu vaccines are used safely every year in the UK. 

Common, mild side effects include:

  • Sore arm where the injection went in

  • Slightly raised temperature

  • Aching muscles for a day or two

These usually get better on their own. 

You cannot get flu from the injected flu vaccine. It does not contain live flu virus. 

If you ever feel very unwell after any vaccine (for example, trouble breathing or swelling of the face or tongue), get urgent medical help straight away. Call 999 or go to A&E.

Children and flu

Flu can be very unpleasant for children and can sometimes cause serious illness. Thousands of children need hospital care for flu each year. 

  • Children aged 2 or 3 will usually be invited by the practice

  • School-aged children (Reception to Year 11) are usually offered the vaccine at school

  • Children with long-term health problems may be offered extra protection through the practice or a clinic

If your child misses a school session or you prefer them to be vaccinated earlier, please contact us. 

Other ways to stay well in winter

As well as the flu vaccine, it helps to: 

  • Keep your home warm (aim for at least 18°C in rooms you use often, if you can)

  • Wear layers of clothing in cold weather

  • Ask for help early if you start to feel unwell

  • Check in on older neighbours, friends or family

Not sure or worried about the flu vaccine?

Please talk to us.

  • Send us a message through Patient Triage on our website

  • Or call reception on 0117 902 7145

We’re happy to explain more, help you decide, and make booking your flu vaccine as easy as possible.