You are here: Home Newsroom News Free NHS flu jab for pregnant women available at Boots now

Free NHS flu jab for pregnant women available at Boots now

09 September 2024
News Healthcare
  • Free NHS flu vaccinations* are available at Boots stores for pregnant women from today 
  • NHS data revealed uptake of the flu vaccination in pregnant women was at its lowest level since 20111 
  • Boots Superintendent Pharmacist Claire Nevinson encourages pregnant women to book for a flu jab to help protect themselves and their baby  
  • A private flu jab service** is available at Boots stores across the UK for the wider public from today

Free NHS flu vaccinations are now available at Boots in England and Wales for pregnant women. The health and beauty retailer’s Superintendent Pharmacist is encouraging those eligible to book an appointment as soon as they can.  

According to the latest figures from UK Health Security Agency, the uptake of flu jabs in pregnant women is at its lowest level since 2011, with only 32% of pregnant women receiving a flu jab last season (2023-2024) compared with 35% the year before (2022-2023)2 

Claire Nevinson, Superintendent Pharmacist at Boots, said: “Flu is a viral infection that can make you feel seriously unwell. Flu symptoms can vary, however in most cases it can include a sudden high temperature, tiredness and weakness, headaches, a sore throat, difficulty sleeping and a loss of appetite.   

“Pregnancy can change how the body responds to different infections, which is why pregnant women are considered to be at increased risk of serious complications from flu. A flu jab will help to protect not only the mother, but some protection will also be passed onto the baby too, lasting for the first few months of their lives.” 

Claire also answers three commonly asked questions about getting a flu jab during pregnancy:  

  1. “Is the flu vaccination appropriate to have during pregnancy? Yes, the flu vaccination is   appropriate at any stage of pregnancy, from the first weeks of conception right up until labour. If you become pregnant later in the flu season, you can still have the jab.” 
  2. “When should I get the flu vaccine? The best time to have a flu jab to ensure maximum protection is in the autumn months before the virus begins to circulate. This allows the body to obtain optimum protection and immunity. After you've received the jab, it usually takes around 10 to 14 days for you to be protected, so it’s best to book your vaccination as early as you can.” 
  3. “Will the vaccination give me the flu? No, injected flu vaccinations contain a tiny amount of an inactive flu virus that cannot give you the flu. Some people may experience a temporary raised temperature and aching muscles, and you may feel sore at the injection site, but these side effects tend to be mild and only last for a day or so.” 

Pregnant women can now get their free flu jab in most Boots stores. The flu jab is also available from today for private patients, subject to availability. It will then become available for other groups eligible for a free NHS vaccination from 3 October, in line with the NHS Flu and COVID-19 Seasonal Vaccination Programme for the autumn/winter season 2024-25. To book a private vaccination or a free NHS vaccination for 3 October onwards, visit boots.com/flu or visit your local Boots.  

 

*The free NHS (or other locally funded) flu jab is available in most Boots pharmacies in England and Wales and in some Boots pharmacies in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Jersey. Also available in our Isle of Man pharmacy. Eligibility criteria apply and vary with locality. Subject to availability. Some people who do not meet the requirements for a free NHS (or other locally funded) flu jab in pharmacies can access the flu jab from their GP or in Scotland, at a vaccination centre. Speak to a member of our pharmacy team or see boots.com/flu for more details. 

** The Boots Private Winter Flu Jab Service is available in almost 1,600 Boots stores. Service starts in September. Subject to specially trained pharmacist and stock availability. Eligibility criteria apply. Service costs £21.95 and £26.95 in Jersey. The service for those aged 11-15 is available in selected stores, injectable vaccine only. Appointments for those aged 11-15 are bookable in-store only. See boots.com/flu for more details. 

*** The flu vaccination service will open up to people who are eligible for free jabs on the NHS from 3rd October. This includes those over the age of 65, people with certain underlying health conditions such as asthma, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and carers. Remaining eligible adults for free NHS flu vaccines will be able to access this from 3 October 2024.   

News

What’s new at Boots? Find out the latest updates from the UK’s largest pharmacy-led health and beauty chain – from new products and services to important business developments.

xx

Features

Take a closer look at our team members and the work they do, learn more about our corporate social responsibility initiatives and see how we work behind the scenes.

xx

Boots is the UK’s leading health and beauty retailer with over 52,000 team members and around 1,900 stores, ranging from local community pharmacies to large destination health and beauty stores.*

Boots serves its customers and patients for life as the leading provider of healthcare on the high street and the UK’s number one beauty destination. It offers an unrivalled depth and breadth of products, which incorporates its extensive own brand range and innovative portfolio of brands, including No7, the UK’s No1 skincare brand, Soap & Glory, Liz Earle Beauty and Sleek MakeUP.

2024 marks Boots’ 175th anniversary year. Founder John Boot opened a herbalist store in Nottingham in 1849 to offer an affordable alternative to traditional medicines. His son Jesse expanded the business to become a modern retailer and the biggest chemist in Britain. Throughout its history, Boots has listened, learned and innovated, and it continues to challenge itself to improve its products and services every day.

Boots is part of Walgreens Boots Alliance, which is a global leader in pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing retail.  More company information is available on boots-uk.com.

*Figures accurate as of 31 May 2024