We offer the quadrivalent flu jab, which protects against the four most common strains of the flu this flu season, including H1N1 (swine flu) and H3N2 (aussie flu).
Why get the flu jab?
The flu jab helps prevent you’re getting the flu and having to experience symptoms or take time to recover – it reduces your risk of getting the flu. Although the flu jab does not prevent 100% of all flu cases, people who have been vaccinated and who catch a strain of the flu they are vaccinated against tend to have less severe symptoms which usually improve within a shorter period of time.
The flu can cause serious complications in children, the elderly, those with a weakened immune system and pregnant women. For these groups, the flu jab offers protection not only from the flu but helps to reduce the risk of more serious illness and the secondary complications of flu, like pneumonia.
You need to get vaccinated every year in order to stay protected – the flu virus is constantly changing, and the vaccine is formulated every year to remain effective against the most common strands of the flu. The best time to get the vaccine is before the beginning of the flu season, but you can also get it later in winter.
What happens if I get the flu jab?
Our pharmacist will firstly make sure that the vaccination is suitable for you. It is given as an injection, usually in the upper arm.
You won’t get the flu itself, but you can get some of the symptoms – the flu jab is not a live vaccine, which means you cannot get the flu from the flu jab. However, the flu jab may cause flu-like symptoms as a side effect. The side effects of the flu jab tend to be mild and they usually pass within days. If you get an injection, the injection site may be red and sore for a few days after you have received your vaccine. Your nurse or pharmacist will also give more information about potential side effects.
It can take up to 14 days for your immunity to develop after getting the flu jab. This is why it’s always best to get vaccinated early in the season to minimise your chance of catching it before you develop immunity.
How much will it cost?
Our vaccination costs £15 and is available following a short consultation with our pharmacist.
To ensure a vaccinating pharmacist is available when you intend to visit the pharmacy please telephone ahead to check availability.