Service
Seasonal Flu Injections (NHS & Private)
Safeguard your health with the confidence that vaccination offers
The flu vaccine helps protect against flu, which can be a serious or life-threatening illness. It’s offered on the NHS every year to people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.
We offer Flu vaccinations for Adults aged 18 and over.
The best time to have your flu vaccination would be between October and December before the virus starts spreading but you can also have it as late at March.
Why should you have a Flu Vaccine?
The Flu Vaccine protects you against the Influenza virus and catching the Flu. You may still contract the virus after having the vaccination but the symptoms will be milder and not last as long. It is also important to be vaccinated to help protect others around you that may be vulnerable and at serious risk from flu complications.
Who is Eligible for a free Flu Vaccination?
- are aged 65 or over (including if you will be 65 by 31 March 2024)
- have certain long-term health conditions
- are pregnant
- live in a care home
- are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer’s allowance
- live with someone who has a weakened immune system
- frontline health workers
Social care workers can also get a flu vaccine through their employer.
What are the side effects of the Flu Vaccine?
The most common side effects of the flu vaccine are mild and subside within 1 to 2 days.
They can include:
- pain or soreness where the injection was given
- a slightly raised temperature
- an aching body
- blocked or runny nose
- headache
More serious side effects such as a severe allergic reaction (Anaphylaxis) are very rare. The person who vaccinates you will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.
The injected flu vaccines used in the UK do not contain live flu viruses. They cannot give you flu.
The flu vaccine is offered free for people with certain long-term health conditions, including:
- Respiratory conditions, such as asthma (needing a steroid inhaler or tablets), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis or emphysema.
- heart conditions, such as coronary heart disease or heart failure
- chronic kidney disease
- liver disease, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis
- some conditions that affect your brain or nerves, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy
- diabetes or Addison’s disease
- a weakened immune system due to a condition such as HIV or AIDS, or due to a treatment such as chemotherapy or steroid medicine
- problems with your spleen, such as sickle cell disease, or if you’ve had your spleen removed
- a learning disability
- being very overweight – a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above
Speak to your GP surgery or specialist if you have a health condition and you’re not sure if you’re eligible for the flu vaccine.
If you are not eligible to have a free Flu Vaccination on the NHS, Skot Chemist are able to provide you with a private service.
Contact us for more information regarding the Flu vaccination service
Contact us today for a free consultation
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