Flu Vaccinations

Influenza (flu) is a seasonal viral infection that usually strikes between December and March. It can affect anyone. It is not a cold. You could spend a week or more with a headache, aching muscles, fever, shivering and complete exhaustion. Elderly people and those in an 'at risk' group are more likely to develop complications from flu such as pneumonia or nerve damage.

The best way to reduce your chances of getting flu is to have a flu vaccination. You need to have your vaccination each year to maintain your immunity, as the flu strain is always changing. The best time to have a flu vaccination is in the autumn before flu starts circulating. But even if it’s later, it’s always worth getting vaccinated.

We provide FREE flu jabs (injections) for the over 65s, over 18s in an 'at risk' group as defined by the NHS and FREE flu nasal sprays for 2 and 3 year olds. You can also pay to have your vaccination privately if you are not eligible for, or do not want the NHS service.

We ONLY USE adjuvanted inactivated influenza vaccines (aIIV), cell-cultured inactivated influenza vaccines (IIVc), recombinant inactivated influenza vaccines (IIVr) and live attenuated influenza vaccines (LIAV). We DO NOT use egg-cultured inactivated influenza vaccines (IIVe) due to their lower effectiveness. You will be offered the vaccine that's the most effective or suitable for you depending on your age and health.

Flu vaccinations can be given at the same time as COVID-19 jabs for most people. NHS eligibility criteria for free COVID-19 jabs are similar (but not identical) to those for free flu jabs. Please visit our COVID-19 vaccinations page more information on COVID-19 jabs.

Book your appointment at one of our branches in Greenwich or Eltham below or simply walk-in during quieter times; we will do our best to accommodate you. Walk-ins are not available outside campaigns or within 30 minutes of opening and closing times and only whilst stock lasts.

The current NHS campaign opens on 01 October 2025 and closes on 31 March 2026. However, our stock is limited and likely to be depleted well before the closing date.

Flu Treat or Protect Service

This service is for patients who are either concerned that they may have contracted influenza or wish to enhance their protection if they have been in contact with someone that has flu. Antiviral medicine, Tamiflu (oseltamivir), can shorten the length of an influenza infection if taken within 48 hours of initial symptoms appearing. It can also be used to reduce the chance of infection by up to 50%. 

For the treatment of flu, a positive result is required from a rapid home test (sold separately in store for £7.50) to confirm a current infection. Treatment must begin within 2 days of the onset of symptoms and the course lasts for 5 days.

For post exposure prophylactic prevention of flu, the course must begin within 2 days of exposure to an infected individual. The course lasts for 10 days. The protection against influenza lasts as long as the antiviral medication is taken.

This service is suitable from the age of one.

Book an appointment to see a pharmacist below. Both in-pharmacy and Telehealth (remote video) consultations are available. After completing your booking, you will be sent a confirmation email with an embedded form. Please complete and submit that form as soon as possible. Telehealth confirmation emails also contain a joining link. Please click on that link at the time of your appointment from a device with a camera. Medication collection from any of our branches is free. Alternatively, solid medication (capsules only) can be delivered to you (£9.99, UK only). Please note that medication will only be supplied if considered appropriate after a consultation with a trained pharmacist. If medication is not supplied, a full refund will be given.

Pneumonia Injection

Whilst booking your flu jab, you may want to consider also having the pneumonia injection to give you protection against pneumococcal infections caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. A pneumococcal infection can lead to a range of serious illnesses including pneumonia, septicaemia and meningitis. The pneumonia vaccination helps protect against these infections and for most people the protection from one dose lasts a lifetime. 

We provide FREE pneumonia injections to eligible NHS patients including the over 65s and over 18s with long term health conditions such as chronic kidney or heart disease. Private patients will be charged £30, £70 or £100 per dose at the pharmacy based on the vaccine chosen due to age, health and personal preference. Book an appointment below.

Please provide at least 24 hours' notice for cancellations to qualify for a refund. We reserve the right to charge an administration fee for a cancelled booking.