Can the flu jab give you flu? Six questions staff ask, answered
Clear answers, based on NHS and UKHSA guidance, to the questions employees most often ask before a workplace flu clinic.
For HR and office managers: you are welcome to share this page with staff before your clinic. The answers summarise NHS and UKHSA guidance. Individual medical questions should go to the pharmacist on the day or to the employee’s GP.
Most hesitation about the flu vaccine comes from a few recurring questions. Here is what the official guidance says about each.
Can the flu jab give me flu?
No. The NHS states that the injected flu vaccines used in the UK do not contain live flu viruses and cannot give you flu. Aches or a slightly raised temperature for a day or two are a normal response as the immune system reacts.
How long does it take to work?
The NHS says the vaccine usually takes up to 14 days to work, so a clinic before flu starts circulating widely gives the most benefit.
Why do I need one every year?
Protection from the flu vaccine goes down over time, and the strains the vaccine targets are updated each year to match the viruses expected to circulate.
What side effects are common?
The most common are a sore arm where the injection was given, a slightly raised temperature and aching muscles. These usually last a day or two. Serious allergic reactions are very rare, and pharmacists are trained to manage them.
I have an egg allergy. Can I have it?
Some flu vaccines used in the UK contain egg protein. Tell the pharmacist about any allergy on your consent form; most people with an egg allergy can still be vaccinated safely, and the pharmacist will decide the right approach for you.
If I had the jab last year and still got ill, is it worth it?
The vaccine lowers the chance of catching flu and, if you do catch it, illness is likely to be milder and shorter. It does not protect against colds and other winter viruses, which are often mistaken for flu.
Who should speak to their GP or midwife instead?
Anyone who is pregnant, aged 65 or over, or living with certain long-term health conditions is usually eligible for a free NHS flu vaccine. They can still attend a workplace clinic, but the NHS route is free and may offer a vaccine chosen for their age group. Anyone who has had a serious reaction to a previous flu vaccine should speak to a clinician first.
Employee information for the clinic day · Templates for staff communications
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