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Flu vaccine - About the flu vaccine

There are cases of flu every winter. It is very important to get your flu vaccine every year if you are eligible. 

Flu vaccines are quick and very safe and could prevent weeks of serious illness. 

Most influenza vaccines available in the UK are inactivated with the exception of the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) – this is the vaccine given to most eligible children. The brand name for LAIV available in the UK is Fluenz®. LAIV contains live viruses that have been attenuated (weakened) and cold adapted so that they can only replicate in the lower temperatures of the nasal passages.

Because of the changing nature of influenza viruses, and changes in the strains circulating and causing disease, the World Health Organization (WHO) monitors the epidemiology of the influenza viruses throughout the world and makes annual recommendations about which strains should be included for the upcoming winter.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced Recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2024-2025 northern hemisphere influenza season (external site) in the northern hemisphere.

Summary of product characteristics

There are a number of inactivated influenza vaccines available. You can find out more about each vaccine in the summary of product characteristics (SmPC) which can be found at the link below by entering the vaccine name: 

Recommended vaccines

More information

If you have any further questions or want more information, you can visit the NHS 111 Wales website (external site), talk to your doctor or nurse or call NHS 111 Wales. 

You can find out more about flu vaccines, including their contents and possible side effects, at www.medicines.org.uk/emc (external site). Enter the name of the vaccine in the search box. 

You should report suspected side effects of vaccines and medicines through the Yellow Card scheme. You can do this online by visiting Yellow Card’s website or by calling the Yellow Card scheme hotline on 0800 731 6789 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).

A schedule showing which immunisations are routinely offered in Wales is available.

Page last reviewed: 4th June 2025