Six good reasons to get vaccinated: 

To protect yourself against flu 

If you get vaccinated early enough in the autumn, you can reduce your risk of catching flu. Flu (Influenza) can sometimes be severe and cause complications, such as pneumonia, pleurisy, myocarditis, encephalitis and Guillain-Barré syndrome.

To prevent transmission of flu viruses to those around you

Your flu vaccination will benefit your family members and friends, in particular people with an increased risk of complications (e.g. newborns, pregnant women and older people or those with underlying health conditions). Hygiene measures and mask-wearing help reduce the risk of transmitting the virus and getting sick. But they do not replace the flu vaccination as you are already contagious without realising it two days before you develop symptoms.

To protect people at especially high risk from complications 

Flu and its complications can be serious for people at especially high risk. Some people with an increased risk of complications cannot be vaccinated (e.g. infants under six months of age) or are only partially protected by vaccination (e.g. people with a weakened immune system). Your flu vaccination will help reduce the risk of people at especially high risk catching flu. Anyone who has close contact with people who have an increased risk of complications – whether in a work or social capacity – is advised to get a flu jab.

To benefit from the most effective way to prevent flu 

Eating a balanced diet, taking regular exercise, getting enough sleep, ensuring good hygiene, and staying away from the workplace when sick will reduce your risk of catching and transmitting various bugs and viruses. But often, this alone does not offer adequate protection. The flu vaccination is the simplest and most effective way of preventing flu and is therefore a useful and effective addition to the other rules on hygiene and social distancing.

To remain an efficient team throughout the flu season 

It is always difficult to predict exactly when the flu season will start and how bad it will be and it is also hard to tell how the coronavirus pandemic will evolve this winter. The aim is to look after your own health and reduce the effects of the flu season on those around you. This way, you can remain an efficient team throughout the pandemic – at work, at home or elsewhere. The more people in a team who are vaccinated, the better the team is protected.

To avoid a combination of flu and COVID-19

As things currently stand, it is important to keep the total number of COVID-19 and flu cases as low as possible to prevent our hospitals and healthcare workers becoming overwhelmed again. This is crucial if we want to continue to enjoy our day-to-day activities with a minimum of restrictions this winter.