How do you go about getting the flu vaccine if you're not 'on the list'?

B0bbyEwing

Bit late for this year but after having my past two December/Xmas holidays ruined by the flu, next year I plan on getting the vaccine - if I can.

I've just now had a Google to see how I'd go about it since I'm not old, not diabetic, not this not that & not the other that puts you on a here have it for free & we'll be in touch list.

I found links to click to check if it can be done through this avenue or that avenue in your area - with no luck. Maybe it's all a bit too late.

So if you're like me & you're not on the list but you want one anyway, how do you go about getting it? 

I'd rather ask now than leave it until some time next November only to then be met with brick walls & sorry we've ran out messages. 

born_again

Go to chemist & pay for one. Your doctor might even do it for a fee.

teaselMay

Lots of places will do it for £10-£15, Asda and Boots pharmacies for example. Google what's near you. It's possible your are entitled to it free depending on age and health, there'll be checklists for that on line too.  You can often go to a pharmacy and have a free injection, and if not pay for it. It's not too late, I often opt to have mine in January

Flugelhorn

get it done at pharmacies / supermarkets - loads do it for reasonable fee

Placitasgirl

As said it's easy to get a Flu jab privately if you can't get it for free. Many high street pharmacies and those in supermarkets offer the service. 

Do bear in mind though that the jab will not protect you against all strains of Flu. My 83 year old Dad had his jab but has been really poorly for the last with it. I always get mine and pay to have it at a pharmacy. 

Flugelhorn

Placitasgirl said:

As said it's easy to get a Flu jab privately if you can't get it for free. Many high street pharmacies and those in supermarkets offer the service. 

Do bear in mind though that the jab will not protect you against all strains of Flu. My 83 year old Dad had his jab but has been really poorly for the last with it. I always get mine and pay to have it at a pharmacy. 

yes the antigens are decided back in March / April so they can start production, they have to decide on a few likely strains based on info at the time  but sometimes another one makes an appearance 

Cairnpapple

This year I have found the appointment availability at pharmacies in my area has been quite poor, you'd need to be organised and book far in advance. Spouse ended up getting his at a private GP which cost more than at the pharmacy (think it was £25-30?) but had plenty of appointments, easily bookable online.

Sarahspangles

B0bbyEwing said:

Bit late for this year but after having my past two December/Xmas holidays ruined by the flu, next year I plan on getting the vaccine - if I can.

I've just now had a Google to see how I'd go about it since I'm not old, not diabetic, not this not that & not the other that puts you on a here have it for free & we'll be in touch list.

I found links to click to check if it can be done through this avenue or that avenue in your area - with no luck. Maybe it's all a bit too late.

So if you're like me & you're not on the list but you want one anyway, how do you go about getting it? 

I'd rather ask now than leave it until some time next November only to then be met with brick walls & sorry we've ran out messages. 

There’s not much vaccine left at this point in the season. Each year there are two types, one for under 65s and one for over 65s (plus a nasal one for children). GPs and pharmacies can buy both types.

You can look up who is doing NHS (free) jabs here https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/find-a-pharmacy-that-offers-free-flu-vaccination/ but as a private patient you need to ring first as most won’t now have the under 65 vaccine in stock, and not all are set up to do private jabs.

Next year the best time to get it is in October, I’d make a note to look for an appointment in September. Not too early because immunity peaks then wanes. Not too late because it takes two weeks to build up immunity, and some years there is an early peak in infections. This is one of those years.

p00hsticks

you can book an appointment for a jab at a Tesco pharmacy - cost £16
NHS flu jab at Tesco - Tesco Groceries

anniecave

My usual pharmacy does them (on appointment basis), one other pharmacy in my area was a walk in service but wasn't in stock the first time, but told me to phone to check they had vaccine in stock and then come back, which I did. Mine cost £18 I think.  

Emmia

I get mine privately with Boots, online booking, lots of locations - normally first couple of weeks in October. I think mine was £20. 

I also paid for a private COVID jab with Boots this year... That was a rather less wallet friendly £98!