BWC Flu vaccine update
People living with HIV are entitled to a free flu vaccine under the national flu immunisation programme and we encourage all of our service users to get vaccinated.
Unfortunately, HIV services are NOT funded to provide flu vaccine.
Therefore, in line with previous years, BWC service users should get their flu vaccine from their GP, a community pharmacy or their midwife (if they are pregnant). Please speak to your HIV doctor or clinic nurse if you are not able to be vaccinated under the national flu immunisation programme e.g. you do not have a GP/ NHS number or you have not disclosed your HIV status to your GP and are not eligible for the flu vaccine for any of the other reasons listed below:
- aged 50 years or over by 31 March 2023
- chronic respiratory disease, such as severe asthma
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchitis
- chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
- chronic kidney disease at stage three, four or five
- chronic liver disease
- chronic neurological disease, such as Parkinson’s disease or motor neurone disease
- learning disability
- diabetes
- splenic dysfunction or asplenia
- weakened immune system due to disease or treatment
- morbidly obese (defined as BMI of 40 and above)
- all pregnant women (including those women who become pregnant during the flu season)
- household contacts of immunocompromised individuals
- living in a long stay residential care home
- carer in receipt of a carer’s allowance
- health and social care workers including domiciliary care workers
If you can’t get an appointment with your GP or community pharmacy at the moment please keep trying. The national supply of flu vaccine is in high demand as more people are keen to have the flu vaccine due to the COVID pandemic.
Service users wishing to get vaccinated at a participating pharmacy can do so, free of charge. You do not have to disclose your HIV status to the pharmacist (you just have to tick the immunosuppression box on the form they give you) however, information on this form will be shared with your GP practice.