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Helping protect you and your loved ones this flu season.
Three simple steps to get your treatment
Flu is a contagious respiratory illness that can cause serious complications, particularly in older adults, pregnant women, and people with long-term health conditions. Even in healthy individuals, flu can lead to severe symptoms, time off work, and spreading infection to vulnerable people.
The flu vaccine helps reduce your risk of catching flu and lowers the chance of serious illness or hospitalisation. Because flu viruses change each year, vaccination is recommended annually.
Our pharmacy provides both NHS-funded flu vaccinations for eligible groups and private flu vaccinations for those not covered by the NHS scheme.
Eligibility for the NHS flu vaccination programme is determined each year by the NHS. Eligible groups typically include:
Adults aged 65 years and over
Pregnant women
People with certain long-term health conditions
Residents of long-stay care homes
Carers who provide regular support to vulnerable individuals
Frontline health and social care workers
Our pharmacy can advise on the current NHS eligibility criteria and confirm whether you qualify for a free NHS flu vaccination.
If you do not qualify for the NHS flu vaccination programme, you can still protect yourself with a private flu vaccine. Many healthy adults choose a private flu jab to reduce their risk of catching flu and spreading it to family members, colleagues, and vulnerable individuals.
No. The flu vaccine cannot give you flu. The injectable flu vaccines used in adults do not contain live flu virus capable of causing infection. Some people experience mild side effects such as a sore arm, headache, or mild fatigue, which usually settle within a few days.
The most common side effects are:
A sore, red, or swollen arm at the injection site
Mild headache
Muscle aches
Tiredness
Slight temperature
These symptoms are usually mild and short-lived.
The flu vaccine is usually available from early autumn each year. Getting vaccinated before flu begins circulating widely helps maximise protection throughout the winter months. However, it is still beneficial to receive the vaccine later in the season if you have not yet been vaccinated.
Protection typically lasts throughout the flu season. Because flu viruses change from year to year, a new flu vaccination is recommended annually, even if you received one the previous winter.
The effectiveness of the flu vaccine varies each year depending on how closely the vaccine matches the flu strains circulating in the community. While no vaccine can guarantee complete protection, the flu vaccine remains the best way to reduce your risk of catching flu and helps lower the chances of becoming seriously unwell. Even if you do catch flu after vaccination, symptoms are often milder and the risk of complications, hospitalisation, and severe illness is significantly reduced.
Many children are offered a flu vaccine through NHS school vaccination programmes, GP services, or participating community pharmacies. Eligible children aged 2 and 3 years old can receive their NHS flu vaccination at our pharmacy. Children are usually offered a nasal spray flu vaccine rather than an injection. Eligibility and availability may vary each season.
In many cases, yes. Current NHS guidance generally allows flu and COVID-19 vaccines to be given at the same visit or close together when appropriate. However, eligibility for a free NHS flu vaccine is not the same as eligibility for an NHS COVID-19 vaccination, as each programme has its own criteria. Our pharmacy team can advise on your eligibility and the latest recommendations.
We offer both appointments and walk-in flu vaccinations. We recommend booking an appointment as it guarantees your vaccination slot and helps minimise waiting times, particularly during busy periods. Walk-ins are welcome, subject to vaccine availability and clinic capacity.
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