Flu vaccine rollout begins as NHS regroups from 'busiest summer'

This winter's flu vaccine has been updated to protect against last year's Super-K strain, with the first doses being given to schoolchildren and pregnant women.

Flu hit early last winter , with a new mutated version of the virus circulating - a seasonal influenza called subclade K or Super-K.

School children are being prioritised - and like pregnant women can get the jab from Tuesday - because they can catch and spread flu easily. Protecting them also helps others, including baby brothers or sisters and grandparents.

Other eligible groups, including people aged 65 and over, can get a free NHS flu shot from October and should receive an invite by phone or post.

Last winter's flu season was unexpected, beginning more than a month earlier than usual , external with the Super-K strain.

Super flu is not a medical term, and it does not mean the virus has become harder to treat, just that people are yet to build up immunity against it.

Flu vaccines are updated annually to ensure they are a good match for the type of flu circulating. Influenza viruses constantly mutate and experts have to predict these changes ahead of time.

This year's vaccine has had a few tweaks, including one to better match subclade K.

It is not clear when flu will hit this year, and whether it will be a bad season. But experts often look to southern hemisphere countries, like Australia and New Zealand, to gain a better understanding of how the UK could be affected.

Their flu season peaks in July or August, and these countries have so far had a relatively mild year in terms of cases.

"Last year's flu season came early and was made worse by a new variant, which had a major impact for patients and put enormous pressure on urgent and emergency care services across the country," she said.

"With the NHS experiencing its busiest summer on record, staff have started preparing for this winter earlier than ever – and with services already under significant pressure, it is vital that everyone offered the vaccine comes forward."

Everyone is at risk of catching flu. It does not matter how fit and healthy you are, or your age.

Dr Doyle said: "Flu can really knock you for six, and for some children and pregnant women it can mean becoming seriously ill or ending up in hospital."