Boots has expanded its autumn flu vaccination rollout, offering flu jabs to over-65s and adults aged 18 to 64 with certain long-term health conditions from October 1. Vulnerable groups, including pregnant women and young children, have been able to access the flu jabs since September 1.
Who can book from October 1
Adults aged 65 or over can book an appointment at boots.com or speak with their local Boots pharmacist to receive the flu jab from October 1. Those who are not eligible for an NHS flu vaccination can still book an appointment through the Boots Private Winter Flu Jab service.
Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has highlighted the effectiveness of the seasonal jab, showing that flu vaccinations significantly reduced the risk of hospitalisation by up to 40% in adults aged 65 and over last year.
Pharmacist urges early booking
Claire Nevinson, Superintendent Pharmacist at Boots, said: “Flu can make people feel very unwell and may pose a serious risk to those considered to be vulnerable. As we head into autumn, it’s a good idea to plan ahead and ensure you have your flu jab as early as possible to help protect yourself and those around you from flu and reduce the risk of passing the virus to others this winter.”
Flu can cause severe illness, particularly in vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, older adults, young children, and those with underlying health conditions. The best time to have a flu jab to ensure maximum protection is in the autumn months before the virus becomes more prevalent, according to the pharmacist. “This allows the body to obtain optimum protection. After you've received the jab, it usually takes around 10 to 14 days for optimum protection, so it’s best to book your vaccination as early as you can.”
The pharmacist added that protection from the flu vaccination declines with time; that's why it's important to get the flu vaccination every year.
Eligible groups from October 1
Eligible groups include those aged 65 or over, including people turning 65 on or before March 31, 2027, and adults aged 18 or over with conditions such as diabetes, asthma treated with a preventer inhaler, COPD or any other long-term lung condition, a long-term heart condition, kidney or liver disease, a neurological condition such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease or MS, a learning disability, a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or more, or a weakened immune system.
Also eligible are adults aged 18 or over who are carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or the main carer of an older or disabled person, frontline healthcare workers in social care or a hospice without an employer-led occupational health flu vaccination scheme, and people living in long-stay residential care.
