Should YOU have a flu jab? As up to half the country are offered it, read our ultimate guide to whether it's worth it - and how to make it work better if you do get it
An estimated 30 million people in the UK – almost half the entire population – are being offered a flu vaccine to reduce their chances of infection this winter. So just how good is the flu vaccine, when’s the best time to have it – and how can you boost its effectiveness to ensure you get the maximum protection this winter? One of the simplest ways to turbo-charge your response to the flu jab could be to simply first take a probiotic pill – containing ‘healthy’ bacteria that are good for your gut. Professor Andrew Easton, a virologist, recommends going for a walk straight after the jab ‘The fitter you are, the better your response to the flu vaccine,’ says Professor Easton. This drop in immunity is why the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, the body which advises UK government on vaccine policy, recommended this year’s flu jab programme kicked off in early October – a month later than usual – to ensure more people are still well-protected during the expected peak flu infection times of late December and January.
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