With flu season approaching, many pharmacies are starting to roll out their flu vaccination programmes for 2020. Flu jabs are available on the NHS for a number of eligible people, but you can also pay to have a flu jab privately at your local pharmacy.
What is a flu jab?
Every year a flu jab, or flu vaccination, is available on the NHS to help protect people against certain strains of flu.
For people who are eligible, the NHS offers the flu jab for free through GP surgeries, pharmacies and midwifery services.
This year more people are expected to be eligible for a free flu vaccine in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
Who is eligible for a flu jab?
- The NHS website explains people who should have the flu vaccine include people who:
- adults 65 and over
- people with certain medical conditions (including children in at-risk groups from 6 months of age)
- pregnant women
- people living with someone who’s at high risk from coronavirus (on the NHS shielded patient list)
- children aged 2 and 3 on August 31, 2020
- children in year 7 (secondary school)
- frontline health or social care workers
More information is expected later in the autumn, but the flu jab is expected to be offered to 50 to 64-year-olds this year in addition to other groups considered high risk.
The logic behind expanding the number of people getting flu vaccines this year is it will reduce the number of people hospitalised by flu, and therefore reduce the pressure on the NHS.
The flu vaccine will also help to protect vulnerable people against the effects of flu over the winter months.
Making sure NHS hospitals have capacity and that vulnerable people are protected against flu will be crucial as the threat of coronavirus continues over the winter.
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Health Secretary Matt Hancock said earlier this year: “It’s mission critical that we pull out all the stops to get ready for winter, and the Prime Minister has already announced £3 billion to protect the NHS.
“We are now taking another important step to help protect the wider public by giving the flu vaccination to more people than ever before.
“This will be the biggest flu vaccination programme in history, and will help protect our NHS as we head into winter.
“If you are eligible for a free vaccine, whether it’s for the first time or because you usually receive one, then I would urge you to get it, not just to protect yourself, but to protect the NHS and your loved ones, from flu.”
How much is the flu jab in Superdrug this year?
If you are considered to be in an at-risk group by the NHS, Superdrug offers free flu vaccinations.
You can speak to a member of Superdrug’s pharmacy team to find out more about getting your flu vaccine for free.
If you aren’t eligible for a free flu jab, a private flu jab at Superdrug costs £12.99 this year.
The Superdrug website explains: “If you want to get the private flu jab, please visit your local Superdrug Pharmacy, or call our Customer Service team to confirm availability for our Superdrug Health Clinics.
“Superdrug is offering the quadrivalent flu jab, which protects against the four most common strains of the flu this flu season.
“Our pharmacist may be able to give you your flu vaccination there and then.
“If not, please call our booking service on 03333 111 007 and we will find an appointment at one of our Health Clinics.”
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