The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is urging eligible people to take the free vaccines when offered. You could qualify for a free Covid vaccination if you’re aged over 65, a frontline health worker or in a clinical risk group.
This year’s round of autumn booster shots is beginning early as a precautionary measure, after a new emerging variant of Covid was identified, and case numbers have been on the rise in recent weeks.
Who's eligible for a free NHS Covid booster?
You are eligible for an autumn Covid booster jab if you fit into any of the following groups:
This is a narrower group than previously, based on who is likely to be most at risk of severe illness.
If you're eligible, you should receive a text message or a letter offering you an appointment, with those at highest risk being called in first. If you’re also eligible for a flu vaccine, you might be able to get this at the same time.
Where to find cheap lateral flow covid tests
With cases rising again, health officials are advising anyone with respiratory symptoms to stay at home where possible, in order to avoid infecting others.
Free covid tests aren't generally available anymore, apart from for some groups are still eligible for them. These are:
Cheap covid tests
You can buy lateral flow covid tests from a supermarket or pharmacy.
You can typically find single tests for £2 to £2.50 each. Multipacks are typically between £6 and £10 for five, working out at around £1.60 to £2 per test.
When we checked, Superdrug had the cheapest tests (currently on offer), followed by Morrisons and Boots:
Flowflex Antigen Rapid testGetein One Step Antigen testFlowflex Antigen Rapid testWho can get a free NHS flu vaccination?
People in the following groups are eligible for a free flu vaccination:
Primary school children and first year secondary school children will get a nasal spray vaccine or injection at school. Babies under two years old can get a free vaccine at the GP.
If you are eligible, you may already have been contacted by the NHS inviting you to get a free flu vaccine. If you haven't heard anything yet, you can check in with your GP.
Check if you can get a free flu jab via an employer scheme
If you are currently working, it's worth checking to see if your employer offers a free flu vaccine as part of its employee benefits package.
Some do this, usually in the form of a voucher you can redeem at a participating pharmacy.
Where to find the cheapest flu vaccinations if you have to pay
If you’re not eligible for a free flu shot, you can pay privately for one yourself at a pharmacy.
Flu vaccine safety and side effects
Most side effects are mild and only last for a day or two. They're similar to side effects from the Covid vaccine, and include:
The NHS recommends taking a painkiller after your vaccination and moving your arm around to lessen the above side effects.
None of the flu vaccines contain live viruses; they cannot give you the flu. But you may get the fever symptoms detailed above as your immune system mounts a response to the vaccine.
Is it safe to get a flu jab and Covid booster at the same time?
If you’re eligible for both the flu and Covid booster vaccines, you might be offered these at the same time in one appointment.
A clinical trial has shown that it's safe to get both at the same appointment, with no negative impact on the immune response.
Some people reported more side-effects from having both jabs, but these were still mild and resolved within a few days.
Will the flu vaccination protect me from Covid?
No, the flu vaccine only provides a measure of protection against the main strains of seasonal flu – Covid vaccines provide the best possible protection against Covid.
And people vulnerable to Covid are also at risk of complications from flu, so it's particularly important for those most at risk to get vaccinated against flu.
Can you get the flu jab if you're pregnant?
However, the UKHSA says that while there was a record uptake of the flu jab in people over 65 in 2021 and 2022, there was lower uptake among pregnant women, despite the fact that both flu and Covid pose a serious risk to both mother and baby.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists says that pregnant women have been prioritised for a Covid booster as they are at increased risk of severe Covid, and serious infection can put their babies at risk of being born prematurely.
Private health under the microscope undefinedsource https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/covid-flu-vaccine-autumn-2023-whos-eligible-for-a-free-jab-aV1fs0q2wDdS