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Flu season is an annual occurrence which sees millions around the world infected with seasonal influenza. While for many this can mean a day or two of feeling unwell, for some catching the flu can result in serious illness and even a hospital stay.
With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Government has been urging those who are most vulnerable to get a flu jab.
This is so pressures on the NHS from a double whammy of COVID-19 and the flu can be prevented.
Flu season is typically between December and March but can be seen as early as October.
Symptoms include a sudden fever, body aches, feeling exhausted, dry cough, sore throat, headache and sometimes feeling and being sick.
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For some these symptoms may be mild, while for others the flu could cause serious respiratory issues and complications.
Some Britons qualify for a free flu jab, dependent on certain circumstances.
Age, job and existing illness are all factors which could make someone eligible for a free NHS flu vaccination.
This year with the ongoing chaos of coronavirus, the list of those eligible for the free jab has been expanded.
Who qualifies for a free flu jab?
- Those aged 65 or over – this also includes those who will turn 65 by March 31, 2021
- Those who are pregnant
- Those with certain medical conditions
- Those living in a long-stay residential care home or other long-stay care facilities
- Those who receive a carer’s allowance or are the main carer for an elderly/disabled person
- Those who live with someone at high risk from coronavirus – added this year
- Front-line health and social care workers
- Children over the age of six months with a long-term health condition
- Children aged two or three on August 31, 2020
- All primary school-aged children – reception to year six
- All year seven children in secondary school
- Those aged 50-64, but not at the moment, this age group are only eligible later in the season
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If you do not meet the criteria on the list, you need not worry as pharmacies and GPs are offering the jab privately, from as little as £8.
However these private vaccinations can vary, with MoneySavingExpert reporting they have seen the jab costing as much as £40 for an adult injection.
So if you are looking for it on the less expensive side, where can you go?
MoneySavingExpert compiled a list of the cheapest jabs on the market currently, as of October 13.
Asda pharmacies are the cheapest, with private flu jabs costing just £8.
Asda is currently taking appointments, and have even begun offering a drive-through service for patients who are nervous about entering a busy store.
Simply head to Asda’s website here, pop in your postcode and you can find a service near you.
The next cheapest is Tesco, with adult flu jabs costing £9 per dose.
However, Tesco has currently stopped taking appointments due to the incredibly high demand for the service.
The third is Well Pharmacy with flu jabs costing £12.50 privately.
Well Pharmacy, unfortunately, has also stopped accepting new appointments for the time being.
Fourth is Lloyds pharmacy, where flu jabs will cost you £12.99.
Lloyds is currently still taking appointments, so check your nearest location on their website here.
Joint with Lloyds is Superdrug, who are also offering the flu vaccination for £12.99.
The health and beauty giant has said some stores have stopped taking appointments, so it is best to check online here before heading to your nearest Superdrug.
And finally, Boots are offering the flu jab for £13.99 across their pharmacies.
However, like Well Pharmacy and Tesco, Boots have stopped accepting appointments for the time being due to the high demand.
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