Flu and COVID-19 Vaccination in Worksop

The flu and COVID-19 vaccinations are seasonal jabs that help your immune system recognise and fight these viruses if you come into contact with them. Both viruses circulate every winter and can cause serious illness, particularly in older adults, people with long-term health conditions, and those who are pregnant.

At our Worksop pharmacy, our trained pharmacists can give you both vaccines in a single visit if you are eligible, saving you a separate trip. The vaccines used in the NHS programme are updated each year to match the strains most likely to be circulating, so even if you had a jab last winter, a fresh dose offers the best protection this season.

NHS eligibility for flu and COVID-19 vaccines is reviewed each year by the UK Health Security Agency. If you fall into one of the eligible groups below, your vaccination is free of charge with us. If you are not eligible on the NHS, please speak to our team about a private flu vaccination.

Your appointment with us takes around ten minutes from start to finish. When you arrive, our pharmacist will check your eligibility, ask a few short questions about your health and any medication you take, and confirm you are well enough to be vaccinated that day.

The injection itself takes only a few seconds and is given into the upper arm. If you are having both flu and COVID-19 jabs together, you will usually have one in each arm. We will then ask you to wait for a few minutes so we can make sure you feel well before you leave. You can drive, work and carry on with your day as normal afterwards.

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are very safe and have been given to many millions of people in the UK. Most side effects are mild and short-lived, such as a sore arm, tiredness, mild fever or a headache for a day or two. Serious reactions are rare but our pharmacists are trained to recognise and manage them.

There are a small number of situations where we may need to delay your appointment or refer you back to your GP. Please tell us in advance if any of the points below apply to you, so we can make sure the vaccine is right for you on the day.

It takes around 10 to 14 days after your jab for your immune response to build up fully, so try to book in good time before winter sets in. You can ease a sore arm or mild fever with paracetamol if needed, and rest if you feel tired.

If you develop any symptoms that worry you, or side effects that last longer than a few days, please contact your GP or call NHS 111. In the rare event of severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing or facial swelling, call 999 straight away.