If you’re not eligible for a free vaccination, you can book an appointment with us here at Porthcawl Pharmacy.
With winter just around the corner, there’s no time like the present to book your flu vaccination, which can be done free of charge from October 1st for the general population or from September 1st if you’re pregnant.
To be eligible for a free flu shot, you need to be:
- Over the age of 65
- Pregnant
- Aged between 18 and 64 with a long-term health condition, such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes
- A care home resident
- The main carer for an older or disabled person
- Living with someone who’s immunocompromised
- A frontline health and social care worker
- A rough sleeper
If you’re not eligible for a free vaccination, you can book an appointment with us here at Porthcawl Pharmacy at a cost of £22.99.
Will there be a new flu vaccine in 2026?
Yes, a new vaccine is produced every year because flu strains naturally change over time. Protection from the vaccine also decreases gradually, so it’s advisable for people who are at greater risk of flu to have the jab each year.
Flu is very infectious and can spread quickly, but you can protect yourself against expected strains this winter by having the seasonal vaccination.
How effective is this year's flu jab?
The flu vaccine for 2026 is 70-75 per cent effective at preventing hospital visits among children and between 30 and 40 per cent effective for adults.
An early wave of cases is currently being seen, caused by a mutated strain of the virus called the A(H3N2) subclade K, making it even more important to protect yourself.
Note, as well, that it can take up to two weeks for your body to build up an effective level of protection after you have the jab, so the sooner you get vaccinated the better.
What to expect after getting a flu jab?
You may experience a few mild side-effects after you have the vaccination, including a sore arm at the injection site, fatigue and a low-grade fever, but these should resolve themselves within a day or two.
These vaccines do not contain any of the live virus, so they cannot give you the flu. If you feel tired, rest up and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, using painkillers like ibuprofen or paracetamol if your arm is particularly sore.
If your side-effects last longer than three days or you feel that they’re getting worse, seek medical attention to discuss your symptoms. Any (rare) severe reactions such as dizziness, swelling of the face or throat and difficulty breathing will require emergency medical care.
How do I book my flu vaccine online?
You don’t need to make an appointment with Porthcawl Pharmacy to get your flu vaccine. You can book a set time online if you want to, but otherwise all you have to do is walk into the clinic and ask for the jab.
You may find you have to wait if the clinic is particularly busy, but typically we can administer vaccines quickly and efficiently, with minimum wait times.
If you’d like to find out more, give the team a call.