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NHS Flu Vaccination Service

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Free NHS Flu Vaccination Service in Berkshire

Slough pharmacy has been providing flu vaccinations under a nationally commissioned service for a while now. Every year from September through to March the NHS runs a seasonal flu vaccination campaign with aim to vaccinate all who are at risk of developing serious complications from the virus. The accessibility of community pharmacies like us, who have extended opening hours and offer the facility of walking in without an appointment, make people seeking vaccinations throng them. Any pharmacy in England that has a consultation room, has aptly trained staff, can meet the data recording requirements and can procure the vaccination is eligible for offering NHS Flu Vaccination Service. So, Slough pharmacy is very much eligible.

You are eligible for the free NHS flu vaccine if you:

  1. are aged 65 or more
  2. are the chief carer for an older or disabled person, or are receiving a carer’s allowance
  3. stay with someone who has a weakened immune system
  4. have certain long-term health conditions
  5. are pregnant
  6. live in a care home

Frontline health and social care workers can too receive a flu vaccine through their employer.  

Private service for those not eligible for free NHS flu vaccine

Those not eligible for free NHS flu vaccine are offered private service by us at most reasonable prices. When you book an appointment with us we ascertain if you are eligible for free flu vaccine or not and if you are ineligible we offer reasonably priced private service.

Why should I get the flu jab every year?

The best known way to help protect self and others from flu is to have the flu jab every year. Over time, protection slowly decreases. Flu strains are known to change, which effectively means a previous flu jab may not protect you from current year’s strains.

How effective is the flu vaccine?

Although no vaccine is 100% effective, getting a flu jab will to a large extent help protect you from catching flu and passing it on to others. Two week time post vaccination is needed to gain protection.

What happens at the appointment?

The injection is given in the upper arm. There may be some side effects, usually mild and short-lived. The most common side effects include:

  1. pain or soreness at the site of injection
  2. a somewhat raised temperature
  3. an aching body

Serious side effects such as a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) occur rarely. When you get vaccinated at Slough pharmacy, the person who vaccinates you will be well trained to deal with allergic reactions.