Reviewed by a GPhC-registered Pharmacist at Newdays Pharmacy
Quick Answer: The flu vaccine is recommended every year for adults aged 65 and over, pregnant women, children aged two to seventeen, adults with certain long-term health conditions, and frontline health and social care workers. It is available free on the NHS for eligible groups and as a private service at Newdays Pharmacy for those who wish to be vaccinated but are not in an NHS-eligible group.
Why Is the Flu Vaccine Given Every Year?
Influenza viruses mutate rapidly, meaning the strains circulating each winter are often different from those of the previous year. The World Health Organisation (WHO) monitors global influenza activity and updates vaccine formulations annually to match the strains most likely to circulate in each hemisphere. This is why a new flu vaccination is recommended every autumn, even if you were vaccinated the previous year.
Who Is Eligible for a Free NHS Flu Jab in England?
NHS England provides flu vaccination free of charge to the following groups:
- Adults aged 65 and over
- Pregnant women (at any stage of pregnancy)
- Children aged two to seventeen (school-aged children via nasal spray programme; younger children via their GP)
- Adults under 65 with certain long-term health conditions including chronic respiratory disease (asthma, COPD), chronic heart disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, chronic neurological conditions, diabetes, and severe obesity (BMI over 40)
- People who are immunocompromised, including those receiving immunosuppressant therapy or living with HIV
- People living in long-stay residential care homes
- People who are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person
- Frontline NHS and social care workers
Which Flu Vaccine Types Are Available?
Standard Inactivated Influenza Vaccine (IIV)
Available as an injection for adults and children aged six months and over. The standard vaccine used in most adult vaccination programmes.
Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV)
The nasal spray flu vaccine given to most children aged two to seventeen through the school vaccination programme. Not suitable for children with severe asthma, those on immunosuppressants, or children with egg allergy who have previously required intensive care for anaphylaxis.
Adjuvanted and High-Dose Vaccines
Adults aged 65 and over are offered an enhanced flu vaccine, either adjuvanted (such as Fluad) or high-dose (such as Fluzone High-Dose), which produce a stronger immune response in older adults whose immune systems may respond less robustly to standard formulations.
Can I Get the Flu Jab at a Pharmacy Without a GP Appointment?
Yes. Flu vaccinations are available at Newdays Pharmacy for both NHS-eligible patients and private patients. No GP referral or appointment is needed. Our GPhC-registered pharmacists are trained and authorised to administer flu vaccines. Simply walk in or book an appointment at your nearest branch.
When Should I Have the Flu Jab?
The best time to have your flu jab is in the autumn, typically between September and November, before flu season begins. However, it is worth having at any point during the flu season, which can extend into March or April. Getting vaccinated is worthwhile even late in the season if you have not yet had the vaccine that year.
Is the Flu Jab Safe in Pregnancy?
Yes. The inactivated flu vaccine is safe and strongly recommended at any stage of pregnancy. Influenza in pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of serious complications for both mother and baby, including premature birth, low birth weight, and hospitalisation. Vaccination protects the mother and also provides some protection to the newborn baby in the first months of life before they are old enough to be vaccinated themselves.
Flu Vaccinations in Windsor, Twyford, and Reading
Newdays Pharmacy provides flu vaccinations at all four of our branches: Eton (Windsor), Twyford, Reading (Coley Park), and Lane End. NHS-eligible patients can receive their flu jab free of charge. Private flu vaccinations are available for those not in an NHS-eligible group.
Book Now: Book Your Flu Jab at Newdays Pharmacy
Clinical Disclaimer: This article is intended for general information only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any treatment or medication. Information is accurate as of the date of publication and reviewed by a GPhC-registered pharmacist.
“`htmlFrequently Asked Questions
No. The injectable flu vaccine contains inactivated (killed) virus particles and cannot cause influenza. Some people experience mild soreness at the injection site, a low-grade temperature, or mild fatigue for a day or two, which are normal immune responses to the vaccine, not flu itself.
Flu vaccine effectiveness varies each year depending on how closely the vaccine matches the circulating strains. It typically reduces the risk of flu by between 40 and 60 percent when the vaccine is well matched. Even when it does not fully prevent flu, vaccination significantly reduces the risk of serious illness and hospitalisation.
Yes. Having flu one year does not protect you against different strains circulating in subsequent years. Annual vaccination is recommended regardless of whether you had flu in a previous season.