Seasonal vaccines for people with Crohn's or Colitis

Flu vaccine programme 2024

Flu is an infectious illness. It spreads through the coughs and sneezes of people who are carrying the virus. The flu vaccine makes it less likely that you will get flu. If you do get flu, you are less likely to become seriously ill if you’ve had the vaccine.

If you are eligible to have it, you should be able to get the flu vaccine from 3^rd October.

Who can have the flu vaccine on the NHS?

In England, people who can have the flu vaccine free on the NHS during the 2024 to 2025 flu season include:

People in at-risk groups and those who care for them

• Anyone aged 6 months or over with certain health conditions. This includes people with a weakened immune system because of a medicine they are taking.
• Anyone who lives with someone with a weakened immune system.
• Anyone living in a care home.
• Frontline workers in health and social care.
• Pregnant people.

Older people

• Anyone aged 65 or over.

Children and school staff

• Children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024.
• All primary school children and some secondary school children.

Eligibility varies depending on where you live. You might want to check the full details for your nation:

• England
• Northern Ireland
• Scotland
• Wales

Are all people with Crohn's or Colitis eligible?

Having Crohn’s or Colitis does not automatically mean you can have the flu vaccine free on the NHS. But if you take certain medicines that weaken your immune system, you might be eligible. This includes:

• Immunosuppressants such as azathioprine, mercaptopurine, methotrexate
• Higher doses of steroids, such as the equivalent of 20mg or more of prednisolone
• Biologic medicines, such as infliximab, adalimumab, golimumab, mirikizumab, risankizumab, vedolizumab and ustekinumab
• Other targeted medicines, such as etrasimod, filgotinib, ozanimod, tofactinib and upadacitinib

This is not a complete list of medicines which, if you are taking them, means you can get the vaccine on the NHS. The decision is not always clear-cut. Your GP or IBD team should decide whether the treatment you are on puts you at risk of serious problems if you get flu.

• Many people taking oral or intravenous steroids can get the flu vaccine on the NHS. But you might not be eligible to have it for free if you are on a low dose.
• If you think you might be able to get the vaccine on the NHS, talk to your doctor. You might find it helpful to print this page or to show them the British Society for Gastroenterology (BSG) recommendations. The chapter on flu in UK Health Security Agency’s ‘Green Book’ might also be useful. This includes specific guidance on which medicines mean you can have the flu vaccine on the NHS.

Children

Most children over 2, including all primary school children, can get the flu vaccine on the NHS.

• The school vaccination programme uses the nasal spray flu vaccine. This is not recommended for children who have a weakened immune system because it is a live vaccine. This means it is made from a weakened version of living viruses. In people who have a weakened immune system, live vaccines may cause infections.
• The injectable flu vaccine is not live and is safe for people who have a weakened immune system.
• It is best to ask your child's IBD team which vaccine is suitable for your child.

If your immune system is low and a child you live with has the nasal spray flu vaccine, there may be a very low risk of catching flu from them. Although theoretically possible, no case of this has ever been recorded. But if your immune system is severely weakened, you may wish to see if they can have the injected vaccine instead. You can do this by contacting the child’s GP or school.

What if I’m not eligible to have the flu vaccine on the NHS?

If you are not eligible to have the flu vaccine on the NHS, you could choose to have it privately. You can get a private flu vaccine from many high-street or supermarket pharmacies. It usually costs around £20.

It may be helpful to talk to your IBD team before you have the vaccine.

When should I have the flu vaccine?

High doses of steroids may have an impact on how well the flu vaccine works. This is especially true if you are taking immunosuppressants at the same time. If possible, you should have the vaccine when you are taking the lowest steroid dose. Taking anti-TNF medicines doesn't seem to have a big effect on the flu vaccine.

If you have a high temperature or other symptoms of the flu or other infection you should delay getting the flu vaccine until you are better. You can have the vaccine during a flare-up of your Crohn’s or Colitis symptoms. But it can make it hard to tell whether any symptoms are due to your condition or side effects of the vaccine.

How do I get the flu vaccine?

The system for having the flu vaccine is different in the four nations of the UK.

England

When and where you can get your vaccine depends on your age, job and clinical risk group. The NHS has more information about having the flu vaccine for adults or children.

Northern Ireland

When and where you can get your vaccine depends on your age, job and clinical risk group. You can find out more from NI Direct.

Scotland

If you live in Scotland and are eligible for a flu vaccine on the NHS, you should be contacted when it’s your turn. You can check online what vaccines you’re eligible for and how to book.

Wales

If you can have the vaccine on the NHS, you will be able to get it at your GP surgery or at some community pharmacies. If you work in health or social care, you may be able to get it through your employer. Children who are eligible for the flu vaccine on the NHS will be able to get it from their GP surgery or at school. You can find out more from Public Health Wales.

COVID-19 autumn booster vaccines

You may have a weakened immune system because of medicine you’re taking for Crohn’s or Colitis. If this is the case, you might be eligible for a COVID-19 autumn booster vaccine. The vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others against COVID-19. If you’re at higher risk, it is especially important to keep up-to-date with vaccinations. 

For more information, see COVID-19 for people with Crohn’s or Colitis.

Can I have the flu and COVID-19 vaccines together?

You should be able to get both the flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster at the same appointment. If so, you will have one vaccine in each arm.

What about the RSV vaccine?

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of coughs and colds. In most people it usually gets better by itself. But in some people, especially babies and older people, it can lead to serious lung or chest infections.

A vaccination programme is being rolled out to protect older people and young babies against RSV. The RSV vaccine is recommended if:

• You are pregnant, from 28 weeks onwards
• You are aged 75-79

Having Crohn’s or Colitis does not necessarily mean that you should have the RSV vaccine, even if you are taking medicines that weaken your immune system.

Is it safe to have the RSV vaccine if I have Crohn’s or Colitis

The RSV vaccine is a non-live vaccine. It is OK to have it at any time, even if you are taking medicine that weakens your immune system.

Can I have the RSV vaccine at the same time as other vaccines

If you're pregnant, you can have the RSV vaccine at the same time as other pregnancy vaccines, such as the whooping cough and flu vaccines. But it's best to have them as soon as they're offered rather than waiting to have them at the same time.

If you're aged 75 to 79, the RSV vaccine is not usually given at the same appointment as your flu or COVID-19 vaccines. But you can have them at the same time if a doctor or nurse thinks it's needed.

You can have it at the same time as other vaccines, such as the shingles and pneumococcal vaccines.

The NHS website has more information about the RSV vaccine.