NHS Flu Vaccine

Annual flu vaccinations are recommended for everybody, but they are especially important for a specific demographic of people. These people are eligible to get the NHS flu vaccination. You can get the free NHS flu vaccination if you:

• Are aged 65 years or over
• Have certain long-term health conditions
• Are pregnant
• Live in a care home
• Are the main carer for someone who is elderly or disabled, or receive a carers allowance
• Live with someone has a weakened immune system
• Meet one or more of the above criteria and are also 18 years or over (Pharmacy only, under 18s can get the vaccine from their GP surgery)

If you do not meet the above criteria but still want to protect yourself against the flu virus, you can learn more about our Private Flu Vaccination service.

Common side effects of the flu vaccine are usually very mild and will alleviate within 24-48 hours. The most common side effects are:

• Pain or tightness around the area where the vaccination was administered
• A slightly raised temperate
• Mild aches and pains in the body, muscles or joints

It is very rare for a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to happen after the flu vaccine. Your GP or pharmacist will be trained in how to deal with allergic reactions and treat this immediately. The flu vaccinations used in the UK do not contain live flu viruses, therefore, cannot give you the flu or flu-like symptoms.

Bannerman’s Pharmacy only uses vaccines which are in line with the recommendations from the Joint Commission on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), for both our NHS and private flu vaccination services. There are several different types of flu vaccines given in the UK, and your pharmacist or GP will offer you the type that’s most appropriate for you based on your age and general health.

Important: Some flu vaccines in the UK contain egg protein. Please let your pharmacist or GP know if you have an egg allergy prior to your vaccination appointment as egg-free vaccination options are available.

There is no appointment needed to get your flu vaccination at Bannerman’s Pharmacy, we operate a walk-in service for our NHS flu vaccine service. However, it is possible to book an appointment for yourself, or for someone you are caring for even if you are not getting the vaccine yourself.

Yes. We recommend that you get the flu vaccine every year, before the winter months come. It is important to get vaccinated annually as the flu virus can change from year to year. The flu vaccine is updated accordingly to match the most current strains of the virus, ensuring that you’re always protected against the most prevalent forms of the flu.

The flu vaccine can take up to 14 days to work, but it is the best way to protect yourself and others from the spread of the flu virus. Getting the flu vaccine does not mean that you will not contract the flu virus, but the symptoms are likely to be less severe and your body may fight off the virus quicker.