Soon the invitation for the flu shot will fall on the mat again. With the flu shot we protect people who are at a higher risk of getting (seriously) ill from the flu due to their age or medical condition.
flu shot
This year, the target group for the flu shot has expanded. In addition to all people over the age of 60 and people and children and adults who are at extra risk of becoming seriously ill from the flu, healthy pregnant women, people with morbid obesity, and people with epilepsy can also get the shot for free this year.
Probably not everyone from the new target group will receive an invitation this autumn. For example, because the medical condition is not known to the general practitioner.
People who fall into one of the new groups, but have not received an invitation, can contact their GP between 1 October and 31 December. Most invitations fall on the mat between October 1 and mid-November.
Target groups flu shot
Curious about who falls into the groups? View the overview: Additional target groups are allowed to get the flu shot.
pregnant
By vaccinating pregnant women against the flu, babies are protected from the possible serious consequences of the flu right from birth. Women are also protected against the flu with a flu shot. Check out this webpage for more information about the flu shot for pregnant women.
How the flu shot works
Medical risk groups and people over 60 can become seriously ill from the flu. The flu shot is the best protection against the flu. The flu shot contains harmless pieces of the flu virus. They prepare the immune system for a flu infection. The flu shot means that people are on average 30% less likely to get the flu. There is also 40% less chance of hospitalization and the chance of infecting others is also smaller.
Pneumococcal prick
In addition to the flu shot, people aged 66 to 69 will also receive an invitation this fall for a free pneumococcal shot. They can get this from their doctor, often at the same time as the flu shot. The pneumococcal shot works for five years. The injection protects against diseases caused by pneumococci. These are bacteria. One of the most common diseases caused by pneumococcal bacteria in people over 60 is pneumonia.