“I couldn't make it downstairs to wish my daughter a happy birthday.”
“I missed a lot of family parties and couldn’t even make it downstairs to wish my daughter a happy birthday.”
This is what local resident Samantha had to say after she missed her free flu vaccine last year and fell ill with the virus just before Christmas.
Wirral residents who are eligible for a free flu vaccine are being reminded to get vaccinated, to avoid illness during the festive season.
The vaccine typically takes two weeks to become fully effective, making it essential to get vaccinated now to be protected throughout the Christmas and New Year.
Getting your flu vaccine every year, if you're eligible, tops up your protection and reduces your risk of getting severe symptoms.
If you’re eligible for a free vaccination, it’s easy. Book online, call your GP surgery or find a drop-in session and get yourself vaccinated – to avoid having to cancel your Christmas plans.
The flu vaccine is offered to children aged 2 to 3 years, school-aged children (Reception to Year 11) and children with certain long-term health conditions, while many adults can also be vaccinated free of charge.
Free NHS flu vaccines are available to those who:
- are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2026)
- have certain long-term health conditions
- are pregnant
- live in a care home
- are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer's allowance
- live with someone who has a weakened immune system
Frontline health and social care workers can also get a flu vaccine through their employer.
Samantha, from Bebington, is eligible for the free flu vaccine as she has rheumatoid arthritis. Although she lives with a long-term health condition, Samantha considers herself to be a generally ‘well’ person.
Samantha said:
I have had the flu jab a couple of times before but I was never serious about it as I thought it was more for older people than myself, and I also thought of flu as just a heavy cold.
Last year, Samantha didn’t get her flu vaccine. She fell ill with the virus just before Christmas.
Samantha said:
I came down with a horrendous fever. I was aching all over and I can only describe it as having a headache in about seven different places in my head. I couldn’t get my head off the pillow.
I could hardly move and paracetamol wasn’t touching the sides. It went in waves for days like that and I was bedridden for a good five days – and it took a couple of weeks to feel like myself again.
As she’d fallen ill over Christmas, Samantha missed out on lots of social events and an important family birthday.
Samantha said:
It was my daughter’s birthday on New Year’s Eve, so I missed a lot of family parties and couldn’t even make it downstairs to wish her a happy birthday.
My dad is terminally ill, and I was scared he or other relatives might get it because it was that bad, so I was listening to all the parties and people calling in, singing happy birthday - and I didn’t see a soul.
This year, Samantha has already been vaccinated against flu to try and avoid history repeating itself.
Samantha said:
This year there’s no way I want to do that again I’ve made sure I’ve had my flu jab I’ve got booked in at my chemist and got it done early. I usually am in good health but this really took me to my bed and ruined my Christmas and New Year. I would say to anyone especially if you’re eligible for the free jab, to take it!
Eligible for the free flu vaccine?
If you're eligible for an NHS flu vaccine, you can:
- contact your GP surgery to book an appointment
- book a free NHS flu vaccination appointment at a pharmacy online or in the NHS App (if you're aged 18 or over)
- find a pharmacy that offers free NHS flu vaccination where you can walk-in and get vaccinated without an appointment (if you're aged 18 or over)
- In Wirral, the Living Well Bus pops up across the borough, offering routine vaccinations, including flu. See below for details of their pop-ups from now through to New Year.
Some people may be able to get vaccinated free of charge through their maternity service or care home, or through their employer if they're a frontline health or social care worker.
There’s still plenty of time to get your flu vaccine, with vaccinations offered until 31 March 2026, but it's best to get vaccinated sooner for those wanting to protect themselves during winter.
Hop aboard the Living Well Bus
The Living Well Bus will be popping up at locations across Wirral, from now through to the New Year. People who are eligible for the free service can catch up on routine vaccinations, including flu, for yourself, your children or any children you care for, from 10.30am - 4pm, at the following locations:
- Tuesday 9 December - The Bungalow Family Hub at Grove Street Primary School, New Ferry, CH62 5BA. (Bus will be located in Grove Street car park)
- Wednesday 10 December - The Livvy', Equilibrium North West CIC, Livingstone Street Play & Community Centre, Birkenhead, CH41 3HX
- Monday 15 December - ASDA, Wallasey, CH45 4NZ
- Wednesday 31 December - Birkenhead Town Centre, St Werburgh's Square, CH41 2XY
- Saturday 3 January - Tesco Bidston, Birkenhead, CH43 7AA
Children's FREE flu vaccine
The children's flu vaccine is offered to children aged 2 to 3 years, school-aged children (Reception to Year 11) and children with certain long-term health conditions. More information for getting your little one vaccinated in Wirral is available here: "Nervous about my son’s flu vaccine, but then saw it’s a nasal spray.” | Wirral View.
Additional information
The flu vaccine is recommended for people with certain long-term health conditions.
Speak to your GP surgery or specialist if you have a health condition and you're not sure if you're eligible for the flu vaccine.
Further information on winter vaccinations and winter health can be found via: Winter vaccinations and winter health - NHS.
If you’re not eligible for the free flu vaccine, you may be able to be able to protect yourself with a private (paid for) vaccine through a local pharmacy.
For local information and support services visit: www.wirralinfobank.co.uk.
