HOW TO GET A FLU VACCINE BEFORE CHRISTMAS
- Who is eligible for the free flu vaccine?
- Can I pay for a flu jab?
- Where can I get a flu jab?
- Is the vaccine effective?
Christmas is fast approaching but in amongst all of the festivities and merriment, a particularly infectious strain of the flu – known as H3N2 “subclade K” – is causing havoc, plunging the NHS into a “worst-case scenario”. Some are calling it a “superflu” because it is a mutated form of the seasonal influenza A virus, meaning we are less immune to it.
Perhaps you are considering a flu vaccine to protect yourself or elderly and vulnerable relatives you may be visiting during the Christmas holidays. If that is the case, then the next few days are crucial, as it takes 10 to 14 days for the flu jab to become effective.
The number of patients in hospital with the virus is at the highest ever level for this time of year – and health chiefs have warned there is no peak in sight. Last week, cases rose by more than 50 per cent, with an average of 2,660 patients in a hospital bed with the flu each day. NHS bosses have encouraged people to wear masks in the office or on public transport, whilst several schools have shut to combat outbreaks, with the highest infection rates amongst children aged five to 14.
“We don’t often see flu seasons caused by H3 viruses like this one, so the population is somewhat more susceptible than normal,” explains Dr Simon Clarke, an associate professor in cellular microbiology at the University of Reading. “That makes the vaccine even more impactful than in a more ‘regular’ winter.”
Even though influenza H3N2 is a new variant, it presents as a typical flu: fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue and sometimes gastrointestinal upset.
So, who is eligible for a free NHS flu vaccine and, if not, what are your other options?
Who is eligible for the free flu vaccine?
Millions of people in the UK qualify for a free flu jab and the NHS is urging anyone eligible to get one.
These are delivered via high street pharmacies and GP surgeries, Dr Clarke explains. “Anyone who qualifies for a free flu jab can book it via their GP or online through the NHS app and website,” he adds.
Those who are eligible for a free flu vaccine include:
- People aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by March 31 2026)
- Those with certain long-term health conditions, including diabetes, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and liver cirrhosis
- Anyone with a BMI of 40 or above
- Pregnant women
- People living in a care home
- Those who are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer’s allowance
- People with a learning disability
- Anyone who lives with someone who has a weakened immune system
The NHS also gives the vaccine to school children, typically in the form of a nasal spray. Meanwhile, front line health and social care workers can get it through their employer. For adults, the flu vaccine is administered as an injection.
Can I pay for a flu jab and how much is it?
Yes, you can pay for a flu jab if you do not qualify for a free one on the NHS. “The price varies a bit but is typically around £20,” says Dr Clarke.
Where can I get a flu jab?
Many high street and supermarket pharmacies will administer the flu jab to anyone who is medically fit enough to have it, Dr Clarke says. These include chains like Boots and Superdrug, who offer appointments that can be booked online or via walk-in clinics.
However, pharmacy stocks of the vaccine are “expected to deplete”, Dr Clarke warns. Earlier this week, Dr Leyla Hannbeck, the chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, said pharmacies were seeing “a big surge” in people coming forward seeking vaccines, but urged the public not to panic.
“The sharp rise in flu cases is understandably alarming for patients,” she says. “Independent pharmacies across the country are reporting a big surge in enquiries about flu vaccinations and treatment. The message to patients is clear – don’t panic, but don’t delay.
“Community pharmacies have stock of both the adult and child flu vaccines. Anybody who hasn’t yet had their own flu vaccine should prioritise popping into their local pharmacy to get protected.”
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Her message was echoed by Nick Thayer, the head of policy for the Company Chemists Association. He said there is “no national shortage of flu vaccines, but the bulk of them are administered in October and November”.
This means that “by the time you get to December, some places are running low, and some will have none left from their original allocation”.
You may therefore need to shop around for your flu vaccine. “Look on the websites for pharmacies, look on the NHS website, if you are eligible for a free jab or talk to your local pharmacy and ask,” Thayer advises.
If you are unable to get the vaccine before Christmas, stick to the basics to reduce your risk of catching the flu. These include handwashing, avoiding crowded indoor gatherings, staying home when unwell, and self-isolating within families where possible.
How effective is the flu vaccine?
The flu jab remains a valuable layer of protection, according to Dr Clarke. It is safe and generally thought to achieve maximum protection for an individual after 10 to 14 days. Whilst there is still a chance you might get the flu after having the jab, it is likely to be milder and not last as long.
Protection from the flu vaccine goes down over the year and the types of virus it protects against are updated annually, which is why it is important to stay up to date with your inoculations, according to the NHS.
Whilst this year’s dominant strain is thought to be a mutated version of the influenza A virus, data shows that the flu vaccine still provides good protection against it. The UK Health Security Agency found it has been 70 to 75 per cent effective at preventing hospital attendance in children aged 2 to 17, and 30 to 40 per cent effective in adults. This is broadly in line with effectiveness in previous flu seasons.
Almost 17 million vaccines have been delivered this autumn, which is 350,000 more compared to this time last year, although Dr Clarke wishes more of us would choose to be inoculated. The latest National Flu and Covid-19 Surveillance Report shows that only 70.9 per cent of over-65s have received their flu jab this season. Rates amongst eligible under-65s are far lower, hovering around 35 per cent. “It really would make a difference,” says Dr Clarke.
2025-12-13T11:00:34Z
