The 5 places you can get free flu jabs from today – check if you’re eligible

IF you are likely to experience flu complications, it is important that you get vaccinated.

It may sound like a harmless virus, but a bad bout of the flu can lead to serious complications and, in some cases, even death.

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Here’s who’s eligible, how to book and where to go.

What is the flu shot and is it free?

From today (September 11), the flu vaccine will be offered free on the NHS to people with certain long-term health problems.

While the flu is unpleasant for most people, it can be dangerous and even life-threatening for people with certain illnesses.

The best time to get the flu shot is fall or early winter, before the flu spreads in the colder months

But you can get your vaccine later.

Am I entitled to a free flu shot?

The flu vaccine is given free by the NHS to people who:

• Are 65 years of age and older (including those who will be 65 years of age by March 31, 2024)
• are pregnant
• are children between the ages of two and three
• all primary school children
• are in long-term inpatient care
• You receive carer’s allowance or are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person who could be at risk if they become ill
• are frontline health and social workers
• living with someone who is more likely to get a serious infection due to a weakened immune system, e.g. B. someone living with HIV, someone who has had a transplant, or is receiving certain treatments for cancer, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis

People with the following requirements are also eligible:

• Respiratory diseases such as asthma (requiring a steroid inhaler or tablets), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema and bronchitis
• diabetes
• Heart diseases such as coronary artery disease or heart failure
• Being very overweight – a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more
• chronic kidney disease
• Liver diseases such as cirrhosis or hepatitis
• some neurological diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neuron disease, multiple sclerosis (MS) or cerebral palsy
• a learning disability
• Problems with your spleen such as sickle cell anemia or if you have had your spleen removed

Your GP may recommend the free flu vaccination if you have another long-term illness not listed above but which may be made worse by the flu.

Where can I get this?

You can get the NHS flu vaccination from your local GP, at certain pharmacies (if you are over 18) and at some maternity services if you are pregnant.

Children will be given the nasal spray vaccine at school, at a family doctor’s office or at a community clinic.

The following pharmacy chains are offering free vaccination to eligible adults:

1. Tesco pharmacy
2. Boots
3. Super drug
4. Well, pharmacy
5. Lloyds Pharmacy

Visit the store’s website to book your vaccination.

Thousands more pharmacies will also offer the life-saving vaccine.

Use this link to find out if your local pharmacy offers this service. You will be asked to provide your zip code.