A major UK supermarket has initiated its annual flu jab vaccination service as temperatures across the country begin to plunge. Morrisons Pharmacy will offer free NHS jabs to eligible patients.
According to the NHS, the vaccine helps protect you from getting the flu. If a person gets flu and has been vaccinated, the symptoms are likely to be milder and not last as long. This will reduce the risk of needing to go to hospital with serious flu illness. Free NHS flu vaccinations are available to eligible groups, including people aged over 65, pregnant women and those with certain underlying health conditions.
For customers who do not qualify for a free NHS jab, the flu vaccine costs £16.50. However, Morrisons More Card members can receive a discounted price of £13 by scanning their membership card when paying at the pharmacy.
John Parry, head of pharmacy at Morrisons, said: “We’re here to support the health and wellbeing of our customers, helping them stay protected throughout flu season with our good, honest value.
“Our pharmacies offer a convenient way for customers to get their flu jab, and we’re committed to making vaccination as accessible as possible.
“Whether customers are looking to protect themselves, their families or those around them, our friendly pharmacy teams are here to help keep communities healthy this winter.”
The NHS explains that the flu vaccine is designed to protect against the strains of flu virus most likely to circulate each season. While it cannot guarantee complete immunity, people who do catch flu after being vaccinated are generally less likely to become seriously ill and often experience milder symptoms for a shorter period.
It typically takes up to two weeks for the vaccine to provide full protection. Because immunity can decrease over time and the vaccine is updated each year to target the latest flu strains, health experts recommend getting vaccinated annually.
Most people who are eligible for the flu vaccine can have it.
The NHS said that you only cannot have the vaccine if you’ve had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the vaccine or an ingredient in the vaccine.
