The NHS flu programme is targeted at the people most likely to become seriously ill, which is a sensible use of public money and leaves a large group of working-age adults outside it. If you are healthy, under 65 and not a carer, you generally do not qualify, even though a week of flu costs you real money and you may live with someone who is vulnerable.
Private flu vaccination removes the eligibility test. £35, book when you want, no questions about whether you qualify. Adults and children, and the whole household in one appointment if that suits.
Worth being straight with you about price. High street pharmacies offer flu jabs for around £15 to £20, and if that is all you need, use them. Booking here makes sense if you want a specific appointment time, want children vaccinated in a clinical setting, want other vaccines or a health concern dealt with in the same visit, or would rather see a doctor than queue in a pharmacy.
Flu season in the UK generally runs from December to March, and protection takes about two weeks to develop and wanes over several months. So September to early November is the sweet spot: early enough to be protected before the season, late enough that protection lasts through it.
If you have not had it by December, have it anyway. Flu circulates into March and vaccination in January still protects you for most of the remaining season.
Flu strains change, and the vaccine is reformulated annually, so last year’s does not protect you this year.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Yellow Fever Vaccine (Includes Certificate) | £95 |
| Hepatitis A (Booster after 6-12 months) | £50 |
| Typhoid (Covers for 3 years) | £50 |
| Diptheria, Tetanus & Polio (Covers for 10 years) | £50 |
| Malaria Prescription | £25 |
| Hepatitis B (Course of 3 vaccines – £195) | £65 |
| Rabies (Course of 3 vaccines – £195) | £65 |
| Japanese Encephalitis (Course of 2 vaccines – £250) | £125 |
| Meningitis ACWY (Covers for 3-5 years) | £75 |
| Cholera (Course of 2 vaccines) | £95 |
| Whooping cough vaccine (Pertussis) (Pertussis combined with D/T/P) | £95 |
Step 1
Same-day slots usually available. Book the whole family in one visit if that is easier.
Step 2
A clinician confirms that the vaccine is suitable and checks for allergies
Step 3
An injection in the upper arm or a nasal spray for eligible children.
Step 4
A record of what you had is shared with your NHS GP on request.
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Influenza is a respiratory virus, and it is worth distinguishing from the colds people call flu. Real influenza comes on abruptly with high fever, aching muscles, exhaustion and headache, and it typically puts an otherwise healthy adult in bed for several days and off form for a week or two. In the elderly, the very young, pregnant women and people with heart, lung or immune conditions, it causes pneumonia and hospital admission, and it kills thousands in the UK in an average winter.
| Flu Vaccinations | NHS Vaccinations | |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | None | Restricted to defined groups |
| Cost | £35 | Free if eligible |
| Appointment | Booked, chosen time | Booked at GP or pharmacy |
| Setting | Clinical, with a doctor available | GP practice or pharmacy |
| Children | Yes | Free for eligible children |
| Other issues addressed same visit | Yes | Not usually |
Said plainly. If you are eligible on the NHS, get it free. Eligible groups include everyone over 65, pregnant women, people with a range of long-term conditions, carers, and household contacts of immunosuppressed people. We are worth it when you want a specific time, want children done in a clinical setting, or want other things dealt with in the same appointment.
£35.
Usually yes, around £15 to £20. If that is all you need, use them.
Yes. The strains change, and the vaccine is reformulated annually.
Either the circulating strain differed from those in the vaccine, or what you had was one of the many other winter viruses. Even where it does not prevent infection, it reduces severity.
Usually yes. Egg allergy is rarely a barrier, and egg-free formulations exist.
About two weeks.
Free groups include over 65s, pregnant women, people with certain long-term conditions, carers and household contacts of immunosuppressed people. Check first, since free is better than £35
September to early November is ideal. Later is still worthwhile.
No. The injected vaccine contains no live virus. Some people get a sore arm and feel mildly off for a day, which is an immune response rather than flu.
Yes, and it is recommended, protecting both you and the baby. You are eligible for it free on the NHS.
Usually yes, in the same visit.
Yes, on-site at £35 per employee. See our occupational health page.
Book a same day appointment at your nearest clinic. £35, no eligibility criteria, and the whole family can be seen in one visit.
