We are urging people with a heart or circulatory condition to get vaccinated against the flu virus from today (Thursday 1 October).
The flu virus can weaken the respiratory system, which is important for the heart to function properly. and it can directly harm the heart muscle. This means getting the flu can be particularly dangerous for people with cardiovascular disease.
However, research suggests getting the flu vaccine can reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke by 13 per cent in people with heart or circulatory disease.
Each year in the UK, flu directly leads to tens of thousands of hospital admissions and contributes to thousands of excess cardiovascular disease deaths in winter.
In England, free NHS flu vaccines are available to most eligible people from today (Thursday 1 October), including over-65s and people with a long-term condition like congenital heart disease or heart failure. You can check if you meet the eligibility criteria on the NHS website.
We are urging anyone eligible for a free flu jab to book theirs sooner rather than later as having the vaccine last year doesn’t mean you will be protected this year. You can book your flu jab at your GP surgery or local pharmacy.
Protect yourself
Ruth Goss, our Senior Cardiac Nurse, said: “Flu can be dangerous for people with a history of heart and circulatory illnesses, as it increases the risk of serious illness.
“People who have had a heart attack are at greater risk of having another one if they get flu, and it can also make conditions like heart failure much worse.
“There are over 8 million people living with cardiovascular disease in the UK, and all those eligible should consider getting a flu jab. It only takes only five minutes, and it can protect you from potentially serious health complications, while supporting the NHS by reducing the number of people needing treatment during the immensely busy winter period.”
Our partnership with Tesco
Pharmacies across the UK are offering free flu jabs for those eligible, including Tesco pharmacies. BHF and Tesco have been in partnership since 2018 as part of the Health Charity Partnership.
Jonathan Bridgett, Tesco Pharmacy Services Manager, said: “Each year we see customers coming to Tesco Pharmacy to protect themselves and others from the flu. Accessing the vaccination is convenient and quick, and can be combined with a visit to a large Tesco store.
"Offering the free NHS service to those eligible, including all over-65s, as well as the private flu jab, means we can support as many people as possible. This can help reduce the risk of catching flu and passing it on to older or more vulnerable people in society."
Why the flu jab matters
