Covid & flu vaccination service

FLU

Vaccinations ususally run between October and December each year (depending on when the NHS allows us to start) and you can book your appointment from the summer onwards.

We offer a booking service each year where we reserve your vaccine for you, and also a walk in service once the booked slots have been filled (subject to stock availablity).

Covid

The Covid vaccination service is booked through the NHS portal, some walk in slots will be available depending on vaccine availability.

We offer a free NHS flu vaccination service for all NHS target groups over the age of 18. All that is required is for you to fill out a form which our counter staff will help you with if needed.

If you are not covered by the NHS, you can still get a private flu jab from us for just £20.00

We offer booked appointments and also a walk in service. If there is a shortage of vaccines then the walk-in service may be temporarily paused - if this happens we will put you on a waiting list and let you know when stocks have arrived.

If you don’t normally use our pharmacy for your prescriptions don’t worry you can still get your vaccination – just bring along a repeat slip or other form of proof that you are entitled to an NHS vaccination (such as a letter from your GP).

Please note that if there is a shortage of flu vaccines priority will be given to nominated patients.

Who should have a flu jab?

The injected flu vaccine is offered free of charge on the NHS to people who are at risk. This is to ensure they are protected against catching flu and developing serious complications.

You are eligible to receive a free flu jab if you:

• are 65 years of age or over
• are pregnant
• have certain medical conditions
• are very overweight
• are living in a long-stay residential care home or other long-stay care facility
• receive a carer’s allowance, or you are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if you fall ill
• are a healthcare worker with direct patient contact, or a social care worker

Pregnant women and the flu jab

If you’re pregnant, you’re advised to have the injectable flu vaccine, regardless of the stage of pregnancy you’ve reached.

That’s because there’s strong evidence to suggest pregnant women have an increased risk of developing complications if they get flu.

If you’re pregnant, you will benefit from the flu vaccine because:

• it reduces your chance of getting serious complications of flu, such as pneumonia, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy
• it reduces your risk of having a miscarriage, or your baby being born prematurely or with a low birth weight because of the flu
• it will help protect your baby as they will continue to have some immunity to flu for the first few months of their life

It’s safe to have the flu vaccine at any stage of pregnancy from conception onwards. The vaccine doesn’t carry any risks for you or your baby. Talk to your GP, midwife or the pharmacist if you are unsure about the vaccination.

Flu jab for people with medicial conditions

The injected flu vaccine is offered free of charge on the NHS to anyone with a serious long-term health condition. That includes these types of illnesses:

• chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as asthma (which requires an inhaled or tablet steroid treatment, or has led to hospital admission in the past), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or bronchitis
• chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
• chronic kidney disease
• chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis
• chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease or motor neurone disease
• diabetes
• problems with your spleen – for example, sickle cell disease or if you have had your spleen removed
• a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or medication such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy

This list of conditions isn’t definitive. It’s always an issue of clinical judgement.

Your GP can assess you individually to take into account the risk of flu exacerbating any underlying illness you may have, as well as your risk of serious illness from flu itself.

The vaccine should always be offered in such cases, even if you are not technically in one of the risk groups above.

If you live with someone who has a weakened immune system, you may also be advised to have a flu vaccine. Your GP will inform you if this is the case, and we can confirm this with your surgery when you come in for the vaccination.

Flu jab if you’re very overweight

The injected flu jab is recommended fro anyone who is severely overweight with a body mass index (BMI) over 40.

Flu jab for carers

If you care for someone who is elderly or disabled, talk to us about having a flu jab along with the person you care for.