NHS Flu Jab. How does it work?

With the co-circulation of Coronavirus, flu vaccination is more important than ever to help you stay well over the winter months. Flu is a highly infectious viral infection. It comes on very quickly and can cause many symptoms including fever, aching body, exhaustion, sore throat and headache. Getting a flu jab is the single most effective step you can take to protect yourself and others, from flu this winter.

NHS England funds this service and aims to vaccinate as many people as possible each year. For those over 50, people with a medical condition or pregnant women, catching flu can be more serious and that’s why they are offered a FREE NHS funded flu vaccine.

Book your NHS Flu Vaccination Here

01

Check your eligibility

If you are eligible for a free NHS Flu Jab you can get your vaccination at Prestwich Pharmacy. We can also administer a flu vaccination on a private basis (£16.99) for anyone that is not eligible for a free NHS service.

02

Book your flu jab

Please book your appointment online or in-store. If there is anything you are struggling with, do not hesitate to get in touch & we will help book you in.

03

Attend your appointment

Please read the guidance for attending your appointment below. 

We will remind you about your booking 3 days in advance by email (if you have given it to us). It's okay if you need to cancel, you can do it by following the link in your booking, or by letting us know. We can reschedule for another time. 

When you arrive, please follow the stickers on the floor leading to the new waiting area where a staff members will meet you.

This year the flu vaccine is being offered on the NHS to:

  • adults aged 50 and over
  • people with certain medical conditions**


      - Asthma or COPD
      - Kidney disease
      - Neurological disease
      - Diabetes
      - Asplenia or splenic dysfunction
      - Heart disease
      - Liver disease
      - Morbid obesity
      - A weakened immune system due to disease or treatment
pregnant women**

  • people living with someone who's at high risk from coronavirus (on the NHS shielded patient list)**
  • people living with immunocompromised individual*
  • frontline health or social care workers**


**all patients must be 18 years of age or over

Book your NHS Flu Vaccination Here

Guidance for attending your flu vaccination appointment:

  • Please do not attend if you are feeling unwell
  • Arrive 5 minutes prior to your appointment time
  • You must only enter and exit the building through the marked entrance and exit signs
  • Please follow the clear signage throughout the pharmacy to ensure yours and others’ safety at all times
  • Please respect social distancing by following the clearly marked signage on the floor 
  • Please ensure you wear a face mask unless you fall within a category exempt from wearing one
  • Please avoid bringing excess clothing (coats, bags etc) with you
  • Please ensure you wear suitable clothing which means you can lift your sleeve(s) easily
  • Please do not bring anyone else with you to your appointment, unless you choose to have a chaperone
  • Our fully trained staff will be on hand to help you with any questions or queries on the day 

Book a private Pneumonia Vaccination

Now that you have had your NHS flu vaccination, you can save time and receive a private pneumonia vaccination too. Nearly 270,000 hospital admissions each year in England are due to pneumonia, and around 1 in 4 cases occur in adults under 65.* Pneumonia is an infection that can cause serious illness and even death. It affects around one in 100 adults in the UK each year** and is most common in autumn and winter.

Am I at risk?

Pneumonia is one of the most common causes of death due to infection in men and women. It can increase the risk of having a heart attack, as well as worsening existing heart failure. Pneumonia can affect anyone, but some people are more at risk of catching it. Risk factors include:


• Increasing age – the risk is greater in older adults


• Smoking – not only is the risk of catching pneumonia greater, but it can be more serious in people who smoke


• Other health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease or respiratory diseases, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)


• A weakened immune system


Learn More

*NHS Digital, Hospital Episode Statistics for England. Admitted Patient Care statistics, 2016-17. Data for pneumonia (all causes).

**NHS Choices.