Where can I get a flu jab in Birmingham and Solihull and who is eligible-all pharmacies offering the service

People across the UK can now book their 2022 flu jab at GP surgeries and pharmacies.

Health chiefs have warned that the UK could face a “twindemic” of flu and Covid this winter. Officials at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) say there will be lower levels of natural immunity to flu this year as they launch a renewed vaccination drive.

Millions are now being urged to get their jabs as experts there could be a bad flu spike this year after several winters when people socialised less due to the pandemic.

Flu is a respiratory infection that can cause more serious illness particularly in young children, older adults and people with certain medical conditions. Flu vaccines help protect against the main types of flu viruses, although there’s still a chance you might get flu. If you do get flu after vaccination, it’s likely to be milder and not last as long.

Who is eligible for a free flu jab?

The flu vaccine is given free on the NHS to people who: are 65 and over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2023), have certain health conditions, are pregnant, are in long-stay residential care, receive a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick, live with someone who is more likely to get a severe infection due to a weakened immune system, such as someone living with HIV, someone who has had a transplant, or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, are frontline health workers, or are social care workers who cannot get the vaccine through an occupational health scheme at work.

NHS England has confirmed that people aged between 50 and 64 will be eligible for the free flu vaccine in the 2022/23 flu season, but only from 15 October onwards. You can book an appointment now, but if your vaccine is administered before 15 October, you may need to pay for the vaccine.

The children’s nasal spray flu vaccine is safe and effective. It’s offered every year to children to help protect them against flu.

Where can I get the flu vaccine in Birmingham?

To book your NHS flu jab you can ring your doctor’s surgery to be booked in for an appointment.

Those who are eligible for a flu jab on the NHS may receive a letter or a phone call to remind them to book in for their flu jab.

Alternatively, you can book your flu jab at your local pharmacy or some may offer walk-in appointments.

You can have the NHS flu vaccine at:

• your local GP surgery
• a pharmacy offering the service – if you’re aged 18 or over
• some maternity services if you’re pregnant

How to book your appointment

If you’re eligible for a free flu vaccine, you can book an appointment at your GP surgery or a pharmacy that offers it on the NHS.

You may also receive an invitation to get vaccinated, but you do not have to wait for this before booking an appointment.

Alternatively, you can book your flu jab at your local pharmacy or some may offer walk-in appointments. You can book to get you flu jab online at pharmacies including Boots and Lloyds.

GP surgeries and pharmacies get the flu vaccine in batches throughout the flu season. If you cannot get an appointment straight away, ask if you can book one for when more vaccines are available.

Which Birmingham pharmacies are offering the service?

Many pharmacies and chemists, including the likes of Boots and Lloyds are providing the service across the city. You can book to have a flu jab at one of the Boots and Lloyds pharmacies across the city. You will need to ring other pharmacies in advance to arrange an appointment time.

Here is a table of which pharmacies are offering flu jabs across the city.

What about Solihull pharmacies?

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