Every autumn, our consultation room fills up with the same question: do I really need a flu jab this year? It is a fair thing to ask. Flu is not the same illness for everyone, and neither is the vaccine.
What the vaccine actually does
The flu vaccine trains your immune system to recognise the strains of influenza most likely to circulate that winter. It does not stop you ever catching a cold, and it cannot give you flu. It can shorten how long you are unwell and reduce the chance of a serious complication.
Who benefits most
- Adults aged 65 and over
- Pregnant women, at any stage of pregnancy
- Anyone living with a long-term condition such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease
- Carers and household contacts of vulnerable people
- Young children between the ages of two and seventeen
If you fall into any of these groups, the NHS offers the vaccine free of charge. We can check your eligibility at the counter in under a minute.
What about everyone else
Healthy adults under 65 are not at high risk from flu, but a private vaccine still has a place if you cannot afford to be out of action, live with vulnerable family, or work in close-contact environments.
The decision is not yes or no in isolation. It is about your circumstances, the people around you and the kind of winter you want.
Booking with us
We offer NHS and private flu vaccinations from late September through to February. Most appointments take ten minutes. You can book online or just pop in.
Want to talk it through with a pharmacist?
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