Get the best free Christmas present this winter - pharmacists urge people to get their NHS flu vaccination before it’s too late

Leading pharmacists across Greater Manchester are urging anyone eligible for a free NHS flu vaccination to get vaccinated before it’s too late, and have the best possible Christmas by making sure they and their loved ones don’t get flu. 

Around one million people in Greater Manchester are entitled to free flu vaccinations from a community pharmacy or GP practice because they are particularly at risk of becoming seriously unwell, or even dying, from flu.

Public health experts are warning that flu is on the way and starting to circulate in Greater Manchester, so it’s vital that people at risk of becoming seriously unwell – for example, because of their age or an underlying health condition – don’t put off getting their vaccination until after Christmas. Carers are also eligible for free flu vaccinations to help protect those they care for.

According to national data from Public Health England, however, around one-third of people in England aged 65+ have not yet had their flu vaccination.  Fewer than half of those aged under 65 who are eligible for free flu vaccinations have had their vaccination.

Pharmacist Aneet Kapoor, who chairs Greater Manchester Local Pharmaceutical Committee, said: “Flu can be extremely serious for many people, particularly anyone aged 65 or over and those under 65 with underlying health conditions such as heart or lung disease or a learning disability.  We’re expecting flu to hit Greater Manchester before too long so it’s crucial that anyone who is eligible for a free NHS flu vaccination – but hasn’t had it yet – gets themselves vaccinated as soon as possible.

“You can get a free flu vaccination in any of the 500 pharmacies offering the service in Greater Manchester and you usually don’t even need to book an appointment.  You can also get vaccinated in your own GP practice.

“We would also really encourage carers – including those who work as carers – to protect the people they care for by getting themselves vaccinated against flu.  Christmas is a time for giving but flu is the last thing anyone wants to get at this time of year.”

People are eligible for a free flu vaccination from a pharmacy or their GP if they fall into any of the following categories:

• Anyone aged 65 or over (or who will be 65 by 31st March 2019)

People aged 18-64 with underlying health conditions such as:

• Long-term lung condition e.g. severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchitis
• Long-term heart disease e.g. heart failure
• Long-term kidney disease at stage three, four or five
• Long-term liver disease
• Diabetes
• Learning disability or chronic brain condition e.g. Parkinson’s or motor neurone disease
• Weakened immune system due to treatment (e.g. cancer treatment) or disease (e.g. HIV/AIDS)
• Spleen conditions (asplenia or splenic dysfunction)
• Pregnant women
• Anyone with a BMI of 40 or more
• People aged 18 and over who live in long-stay residential care homes or other long-stay care facilities
• Carers aged 18 and over
• Care workers including social care workers & hospice workers
• People who live in a household with someone who has a weakened immune system and is aged 18 or more

Pharmacies also offer private flu vaccinations for people who aren’t eligible for the NHS service, but which help protect them from flu and reduce the likelihood of them passing it on to family or friends.

People can find full details of their nearest pharmacies offering flu vaccinations at

• https://beta.nhs.uk/find-a-pharmacy/

Children aged two and three can get a free flu vaccination in their GP practice.