Book or manage a free NHS flu vaccination at a pharmacy (2024)

FAQs

Is NHS flu jab free? ›

You can book a free flu vaccine online if you're over 18 and registered with a GP surgery in England.

Private flu vaccination

If you are not eligible for a free NHS flu vaccination, we offer a private flu service which costs £18.00 (2023).

Flu symptoms hit you suddenly and sometimes severely. They usually include fever, chills, headaches and aching muscles, and you can often get a cough and sore throat at the same time. Flu is caused by viruses and not bacteria, so antibiotics won't treat it.

Yes, the flu shot wears off in about six months. The flu shot does not provide long-lasting protection, which is another reason we need to get one every year. When should I get a flu shot? We typically suggest getting the flu shot in the early fall, before the virus starts circulating in the community.

Some side effects that may occur from a flu shot include soreness, redness, and/or swelling where the shot was given, headache (low grade), fever, nausea, muscle aches, and fatigue. The flu shot, like other injections, can occasionally cause fainting.

Almost everybody can have the vaccine, but you should not be vaccinated if you have ever had a serious allergy to the vaccine, or any of its ingredients. If you are allergic to eggs or have a condition that weakens your immune system, you may not be able to have certain types of flu vaccine – check with your GP.

Is it still worth it to get a flu shot? ›

Getting an influenza vaccine, though not 100% effective, is the best way to prevent the misery of the flu and its complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone age 6 months or older. The flu vaccine can lower your risk of getting the flu.

The recommended timing of vaccination is similar to last season. For most people who need only one dose for the season, September and October are generally good times to get vaccinated. Vaccination in July and August is not recommended for most adults but can be considered for some groups.

Other reasons included thinking they do not need a flu vaccine, fear of getting sick, fear of side effects from vaccination, being allergic to the vaccine, and thinking that flu vaccination is not good for you.

March 1, 2024 -- The vaccines for this flu season are 41% to 44% effective in preventing flu-related hospitalization in adults and 52% to 61% effective for children, according to estimates in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report issued Thursday.

Flu vaccines do NOT protect against infection and illness caused by other viruses that also can cause flu-like symptoms. There are many other viruses besides flu viruses that can result in flu-like illness* (also known as influenza-like illness or “ILI”) that spread during the flu season.

People who are at highest risk of serious complications are offered a free flu vaccination on the NHS. Even if you're not in one of these groups, flu can make you feel extremely unwell for at least a week. You may be able to be able to protect yourself with a private (paid for) vaccine through your pharmacist.

The annual flu vaccine is free on the NHS to: people aged 65 and over (age on 31 March 2024) people aged 6 months to 64 years who are at risk of complications from flu due to certain long term health conditions. people with a learning disability.

It takes up to two weeks to build immunity after a flu shot. You can benefit from the vaccine even if you don't get it until after the flu season starts. It's usually best for people in the United States to get the flu vaccine in September and October. Aim to get it by the end of October.

Flu vaccine side effects are generally mild and go away on their own within a few days. Some side effects that may occur from a flu shot include soreness, redness, and/or swelling where the shot was given, headache (low grade), fever, nausea, muscle aches, and fatigue.