The groups who qualify for free flu jab

ELEVEN groups of people are currently eligible for the free flu vaccine, paid for by the Scottish Government’s annual Influenza Scheme funding.

All people aged over 65 can get the free vaccines.

The other groups include those with respiratory disease (eg, asthma), heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, neurological disease (eg, stroke) and diabetes. Pregnant women, unpaid carers and young carers, NHS frontline staff, people living in long-stay residential care homes and people with weakened immune systems, such as patients with cancer and HIV, are also covered.

All children under five will are to be added to the “at risk” list, but it has not been revealed when this will come into effect.

The vaccine contains inactive flu viruses. This means the viruses cannot reproduce and cannot give you flu, but the body’s immune system can recognise the virus and will be able to fight it if it becomes infected.