Book early
Whether you get your flu jab free on the NHS or pay for a private flu vaccine, if you like to stay organised and get ahead then you can book your appointment today at your local Well Pharmacy.
A flu jab is a simple way to protect you and your loved ones from flu, and to keep you feeling your best
A quick and convenient flu vaccination at your local pharmacy is one of the most effective ways to reduce your risk of getting ill, and it protects the people around you, too.
Discover everything you need to know about our flu vaccine service, including how to check if you’re eligible for a free NHS flu jab, costings if you aren’t, how to find your nearest pharmacy offering flu vaccines, and what to expect.
Why get the flu jab?
If you’re wondering whether the flu jab is worth it, we’ll put it simply: it’s one of the easiest ways to protect yourself from the symptoms of seasonal flu. It helps prevent that unpleasant, wiped-out feeling flu can bring (and saves the hassle of all those cancelled plans) – plus, it protects the people around you, too. Vulnerable friends, family and colleagues – they’ll all get the second-hand benefit, so that’s a win-win. If you’re looking to protect your employees this winter, we also offer a specific corporate flu jab service.
The flu vaccination continues to be the best form of protection against flu, with last year’s figures showing that children who have the vaccine are 70-75% less likely to be hospitalised with flu, and adults are 30-40% less likely to be hospitalised with flu.*
If you’re older, pregnant, have a long-term health condition, or you’re a carer for someone elderly or disabled, it’s a good idea to get your free NHS flu jab as soon as it’s available. It takes about two weeks after the vaccine for your body to build up protection, so the sooner you have it, the better prepared you’ll be when flu starts doing the rounds.
Walk in at your convenience
If you’re not sure what your autumn schedule looks like just yet, you can walk into any Well Pharmacy** and request a flu jab – no appointment necessary!
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**Subject to availability. Private flu vaccination services are available from 10/09/2026, and the free NHS flu vaccination service is available from 01/10/2026.
How does the flu vaccine work?
Essentially, the flu jab involves injecting a tiny amount of the inactive flu virus into your system. This can sound scary, but it’s just enough to prompt your body’s immune system to jump into action and produce antibodies, which are proteins that help your body fight infection. For children, a nasal flu vaccine might be available, which works in the same way but instead uses a weaker form of the live flu virus.
As a result, this helps build your immunity so that you’re less likely to catch the virus. There’s still a small chance that you could catch the flu even after having the vaccine, but the symptoms are usually much milder and don’t linger for as long.
The effects of your flu vaccination typically last about a year, which is why we recommend getting your flu jab every year rather than as a one-off. New strains of the flu virus tend to emerge each year, and new vaccinations are designed to fight these specific strains, so staying up to date with your jabs is your best form of protection.
How much does the flu jab cost at Well Pharmacy?
If you match the eligibility criteria***, and you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, then you can get your free NHS flu vaccine at your local Well Pharmacy. Simply book online or walk into one of our stores at your convenience, and we’ll provide the service free of charge. For our Scottish patients, it’s possible that we can provide the NHS flu vaccine to you, too – we recommend checking with your local Well Pharmacy before booking your appointment online.
If you don’t fall into one of the eligible vulnerable groups, then don’t worry, you can still get your private flu vaccine at Well Pharmacy for just £19.49.
****Find full details on the eligibility criteria for England, and criteria for Wales. Just a heads up, if you’re NHS eligible then you’ll need to bring some proof with you (e.g. proof of age if elderly, or your reminder letter/text), otherwise you might be charged.
Flu jab FAQs
If you live in England, then you’ll be eligible for a free NHS flu vaccine if you fit into one of the below groups:
- you're aged 65 or over
- you have certain long-term health conditions
- you're pregnant
- you live in a carfe home
- you're the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer's allowance
- you live with someone who has a weakened immune system
For full, up-to-date details, please visit the NHS flu vaccine page.
If you live in Wales, Public Health Wales provides full details on eligibility criteria for a free NHS flu vaccine in Wales.
If you live in Northern Ireland, you’ll be eligible for a free flu vaccination if you:
- are pregnant
- are aged 65 or over
- live in a residential or nursing home
- have an illness or underlying health condition (including children aged 6 months+)
NI Direct provides full details of the flu vaccine service in Northern Ireland, however, please note that not all Northern Irish pharmacies participate in the NHS vaccination service. If this is the case, you may need to book with your GP, or you can book a private flu jab with us.
If you live in Scotland, it’s possible we can provide you with a free NHS flu vaccine at your local Well Pharmacy, but not all Scottish pharmacies participate, meaning you might need to visit your GP or book a private flu jab with us. You can find full eligibility criteria on NHS Inform Scotland, but we recommend checking directly with your pharmacy to see what services are available.
For more information about free NHS flu vaccines in Northern Ireland and Scotland, you can get in touch with your local Well pharmacy.
Just a heads up, if you’re booking on behalf of someone under 18, they won’t be eligible for a free NHS flu jab with us.
The flu vaccine is available to people aged 2+, but some children under the age of 2 can still have the flu vaccine if they’re considered high risk. You can find more about the children’s flu vaccine on the NHS website. Some Well Pharmacies also offer a private nasal vaccination service for people under 18. This service can’t be booked online and is subject to availability, so we recommend checking ahead with your local Well pharmacy.
For anyone under 18 wanting to get the regular flu vaccine, an adult over the age of 18 must book the appointment, and a legal guardian should attend the appointment with them.
The flu jab has been around for a long time (work first began in 1931 in the USA!), and the first approved vaccines were developed by the US military in the 1940s. In short, the flu vaccine is very safe.
It’s possible to experience side effects of the flu vaccine, but these tend to be very mild and unlikely to linger.
The flu virus can be extremely serious and sometimes fatal, so protecting yourself and your loved ones by getting vaccinated is important, especially if you’re in a higher risk group.
Most people can have the flu vaccine. You’d only be advised not to if you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to the vaccine, or one of its ingredients, in the past.
If you’re feeling particularly unwell or have a high temperature, then it’s recommended to hold off on getting the flu jab until you’re feeling better. If you have a cold, or mild symptoms such as a cough, runny nose or sore throat, it’s still absolutely fine to get the flu vaccine.
Some flu vaccines used in the UK contain egg protein, so just let the person vaccinating you know beforehand if you have an egg allergy, as there might be an alternative option available.
At Well Pharmacy, we only use enhanced vaccines that are in line with the recommendations from the JCVI, for both our NHS and private services.
The flu jab you receive will depend on your eligibility and vaccine availability. You can speak to your pharmacist ahead of your appointment for more information.
Flu vaccines are available at your local Well Pharmacy. Simply book an appointment online, or drop into one of our pharmacies at your convenience (no booking required!)*.
You can also get your flu jab via your GP.
*Subject to availability.We offer an egg-free vaccine for patients with egg allergies. If you have questions or concerns about egg allergies or other allergies, you can get in touch with the Well pharmacy team for more information.
You can book a flu jab appointment for up to four people. This would be a group appointment, so you’ll all attend the same slot and should arrive at the pharmacy together.
You can also book an appointment on someone else's behalf, even if you aren’t getting the flu jab yourself. We’ll just ask for your details and contact information to manage the booking.
Please note:
- if you’re booking an appointment for someone 18 or over, you’ll need their consent
- if you’re booking an appointment for someone under 18, you’ll be asked to provide their legal guardian’s details, and their guardian must attend the appointment with them
Some Well pharmacies offer a private nasal vaccination service for people under 18, but this service is subject to availability and can’t be booked online. We recommend checking with your nearest Well Pharmacy beforehand.
It’s completely safe to get the flu vaccine while you’re breastfeeding. Breastfeeding after getting the flu jab won’t harm you or your baby, in fact it can even help transfer some of those essential antibodies to your baby, helping keep both of you healthy.
You can also find out more about the flu jab during pregnancy.
It’s usually safe to get a vaccine even if you’re on blood thinners, but it’s worth mentioning this to the person delivering your vaccine. You might also notice that you bleed or bruise a little more than usual after getting the vaccine – don’t worry, this is expected.
Your booking confirmation email contains a link to reschedule or cancel if you’re no longer able to make your appointment.
Drinking alcohol after getting the flu vaccine isn’t dangerous, and it shouldn’t make the jab any less effective. However, it’s important to stay hydrated after your flu jab to help recover quickly from any side effects, and alcohol is known to dehydrate you – so it’s something you might want to consider.
Drinking heavily can also be bad for your immune system, so if you’re feeling unwell then it’s best to avoid alcohol until you’re fully recovered.
A flu vaccine will only protect you for a limited time – usually around a year, which is why it’s advised to get the jab annually. Aside from that, different strains of the flu virus tend to crop up each year, with new vaccines developed based on guidance from the World Health Organisation to tackle these, so getting the vaccine every year means you’re up to date with the latest forms of protection.
If you’re keen to protect your company from the impacts of the flu virus, then we offer a corporate flu jab service that makes it easier than ever for your employees to get their flu jab.
What our experts at Well have to say
"As we approach flu season, it's critical to remember that the flu jab isn’t just for those who are at higher risk – it’s for everyone. At Well Pharmacy, we see firsthand how the flu can impact people’s health, especially when it spreads quickly. The flu vaccine remains the most effective way to reduce the risk of severe illness and complications. By getting vaccinated, you’re not only protecting yourself but also helping safeguard those around you, particularly vulnerable groups like the elderly or those with underlying health conditions."
Mital Thakrar, Head of Private Services
Other vaccination services that we offer:
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a chest infection that can make it harder to breathe comfortably. Anyone can get it, but babies, those aged 65+, and people with long-term health conditions are more likely to become seriously unwell. Our pneumonia vaccination service is available all year round to give you peace of mind when you need it.
COVID-19
We’re proud to support the NHS COVID-19 vaccination scheme, with appointments available at selected locations during eligible periods. Getting vaccinated against coronavirus helps protect you from becoming seriously ill if you catch the virus, and reduces risk of you passing it on to the people around you. Find out more about the next window for boosters.
Meningitis B
MenB is a serious condition caused by inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Anyone can catch it, but teenagers and young adults are at higher risk due to close contact in settings like uni halls and social events. For 2026, the government introduced a scheme offering free vaccination to eligible students and teens, but we also provide a year-round private service for those who aren’t eligible.
RSV
Respiratory Syncytial Virus is most common in babies, and can be especially dangerous for infants and the elderly. It can cause a cough, cold, wheezing, shortness of breath, tiredness or a fever. Our pharmacies offer a private RSV vaccination service for your convenience and peace of mind.
More about flu
Flu is caused by infection from the influenza virus, usually infecting your nose, throat and sometimes your lungs. It’s highly contagious, spreads easily between people, and thrives in cold, dry conditions – which is why flu vaccination services are available in the autumn/winter months.
Symptoms of flu are similar to those of a cold, but tend to be more severe and come on faster. This might look like headaches, a sore throat, a stuffy or runny nose, a stubborn, dry cough, chills and sweats, a fever, aching muscles, tiredness, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, or nausea.
For your best chance at protection, you can find more about our flu jab services below:
*How well will I be protected from flu this year with the current UK influenza vaccines?, published on gov.uk blog, 11 November 2025
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