Flu Vaccines

A man sitting next to a nurse who is about to give him an injection in the arm

From October people with a learning disability can get the flu vaccine.

The vaccine is an injection.

Sometimes it is called a flu jab.

It helps stop you from getting ill with the flu.

A man coughing with germs spreading next to shadows of people with lines connecting them.

And it helps stop you passing the flu onto other people.

A doctor sitting at a desk writing on a pad. There is a computer and stethoscope in front of her.

The doctor should get in touch with people who are on the learning disability register to ask them to come in for the flu jab.

A woman pointing at a page that says NHS Learning Disability Register

If you are not on the learning disability register, get in touch with your doctor to be put on it.

A group people around a page representing the Learning Disability Register

Anyone with a learning disability can be on the learning disability register

A woman in a wheelchair with a speech bubble that reads "I need..." with a clock, easy read page, and ramp representing reasonable adjustments.

Being on the learning disability register means you can get extra support when you go to the doctor.

Laptop computer with Mencap's learning disability register webpage on the screen

You can find out more about the learning disability register on our website.

A woman on the phone calling her doctor who is in a blue circle behind her

If you have never had a flu jab before you should get in touch with your doctor to ask if you can have one.

Cover of the government's easy read about the flu vaccine

The government has easy read information about the flu vaccine on their website.

There is also information about:

A woman gets a vaccine injection into her arm from a nurse

What happens when I get a flu vaccine?

The flu jab is an injection which is given to you in your arm.

This is usually done by a nurse at your doctors.

After the flu jab some people might:

A man wiping his forehead, with a thermometer that reads "Temp High"

Feel a bit hot

A close up of a woman's arm with a blue arrow pointing at it

Feel some pain in their arm

Feel some pain in other parts of their body.

A woman holding her head in pain with a green arrow pointing towards the same woman who is now smiling

If you don't feel well after the flu jab, you should feel better in a few days.

A vaccine spray being put up someone's nose

Children, young people, or people who are scared of needles might be able to have the vaccine as a spray which goes up your nose.

Talk to the nurse or your doctor about if the spray flu vaccine is right for you.

A man sitting taking to a doctor, nurse, and a medical professional

If you have any questions or want more information, talk to your nurse, doctor, or a person at the chemist called the pharmacist.