Stay safe and well this winter, with your free NHS flu vaccination from Pharmacy2U
This winter it’s more important than ever to protect yourself from flu, during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We want to support our patients in getting their flu vaccine easily and safely, which is why we’ve partnered with St John Ambulance to offer free NHS flu vaccinations for eligible patients.
The appointments will be carried out by our team of expert pharmacists and fully trained St John Ambulance crew, at our drive through centre at our head office in Leeds. All of our team will be wearing the appropriate PPE and conform to the highest NHS and COVID-19 hygiene standards.
How the Pharmacy2U flu vaccination service works
Check your eligibility
You may have been emailed directly inviting you to book an appointment, in which case you’re eligible. Alternatively you can check if you’re entitled to a free flu jab here.
Book your appointment online
Choose from the available dates and select your time slot. If you have a partner or family member who is also getting a flu jab, make sure you book individual appointments.
Come to our vaccine centre for your appointment
Arrive at our vaccine centre and one of our team will direct you into our drive through area. You’ll remain in your car for the entire appointment and will be asked to wait 10 minutes following your vaccination before leaving.
How long will my appointment take?
The full appointment will take around 20 minutes.
Book an appointmentWhy should you get the flu vaccine?
Flu (Influenza) is a highly infectious disease. For most healthy people, a bad case of flu is worse than a heavy cold and often requires a few days in bed. However, for those with an underlying health condition there is a risk of causing severe illness and developing serious complications from flu.
It’s more important than ever to stay safe and protect the NHS this winter. By having your flu vaccination you will be significantly reducing your risk of getting flu, keeping your immune system at its strongest and relieving the strain on the NHS.
Who is eligible for a free flu vaccination?
You should have the flu vaccine if you:
- are 65 years old or over
- are pregnant
- have certain medical conditions
- are living in a long-stay residential care home or another long-stay care facility
- are a carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if you fall ill
- live with someone who’s at high risk of coronavirus (on the NHS shielded patient list) or you expect to be with them on most days over winter
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NHS have extended the eligibility criteria for the 2020/21 flu season. Please check your eligibility here.
How much does the appointment cost?
This is a free flu jab service offered through the NHS. There is no charge for the appointment or vaccinations. You can check your eligibility for a free NHS flu jab here.
Book an appointmentFrequently asked questions
Where are the drive through locations?
We have a number of locations across the country where you can have your flu vaccination; we'll be at these locations for a limited number of time so make sure you book in advance.
Week commencing 11th January
We'll be adding more locations in the coming days so check back to see if we're coming to a town near you!
How will the Pharmacy2U flu vaccination appointment work?
Once you've booked an appointment, you'll be emailed a short form to fill out, along with instructions of what will happen on the day of your appointment.
Here's a guide as to how each appointment will work.
- You'll be asked to arrive on time for your appointment. We'll be managing the number of people on site at any time so we ask you not to arrive too early.
- You'll be welcomed by a member of our team who will ask you to confirm your personal information of name, postcode and date of birth as well as going through standard COVID-19 checks. You will be required to wear a face mask throughout your time on site and we also ask that you wear clothing that will allow us access to administer the vaccine into your arm.
- If all checks are successful you'll be given your flu vaccine by one of our expert pharmacists.
- Following your flu jab, you'll be directed towards an exit point where one of our team will check on you, submit the details of your vaccination to your GP and you'll then be able to leave.
- We'll send you an email with advice on your wellbeing following your vaccination.
Who can have the flu vaccine?
The majority of people can have the flu vaccine; there are only a small number of people who aren't able to. That includes:
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to the flu vaccine in the past.
- People who have an egg allergy may be restricted in which vaccine they can have. Find out more on this here.
- Anyone displaying a high temperature.
Is there anyone who should not have the flu vaccine?
The majority of people are ok to have the flu vaccine but there are a small number of people who may not be able to. This includes:
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to the flu vaccine in the past.
- People who have an egg allergy may be restricted in which vaccine they can have. Find out more on this here.
- Anyone displaying a high temperature.
How effective is the flu vaccine?
It's very effective, and is the best method of protection we have against flu, but it's not 100% guaranteed to prevent you from catching it. None of the flu vaccines contains live viruses so they cannot cause flu, If you do get flu after having the vaccine, it is likely to be milder than it would otherwise have been. Find out more here.
Who will be administering the the vaccination?
Our team of trained and registered healthcare professionals will administer the vaccination. All our team will be conforming to the highest NHS and COVID-19 hygiene standards.
How do I cancel or amend my booking?
Once you have booked your appointment, you'll be sent instructions confirming the details and how to amend your appointment if needed. If you have already booked an appointment and need to change or cancel the original, please refer to the instructions within your booking confirmation email.
If you are eligible for and have booked a free NHS Flu Vaccination but can't attend we would ask that you do take the time to cancel the appointment, so the slot is free for someone else to book.
If you are a paying patient and can't make your booked appointment, please rearrange your appointment in any available slot.
Please be aware, if you have paid for your flu vaccination appointment and are unable to attend or rearrange, your appointment fee is non-refundable.
Appointment costs cover the site costs, our donation to St John Ambulance for their time and equipment and the cost of our pharmacist and vaccine and as such if you cancel or don't attend your allocated appointment we are unable to offer you a refund on your booking.
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