Flu vaccine

When you book your vaccine through our online service, you can choose the LloydsPharmacy store where you will receive your injection. After one of our clinicians has approved your order, you need to call up your chosen pharmacy and book an appointment to receive your injection from a trained medical professional.

In most cases it is injected into the muscle of the upper arm in one dose. Most people do not find the injection painful. You will be monitored for 15 minutes after receiving the vaccination to ensure there are no immediate side effects.

The most common side effect of the flu vaccine is soreness at the injection site. Some people do also find that they have symptoms resembling the common cold, such as a headache, runny nose, cough, or sore throat. These usually pass in a few days.

In very rare cases, vaccination can lead to anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction). However this tends to happen very quickly after injection. All LloydsPharmacy pharmacists administering the vaccine are trained in the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis.

The vaccine does not guarantee complete protection, but it has been shown to reduce the likelihood of catching flu. Clinical studies have also shown that it is likely to reduce the severity and length of the symptoms if you do catch flu. Protection lasts for up to one year, after which you’ll need to be vaccinated again.

The best time to get the flu vaccine is between September and November. If you do not receive the flu vaccine during these months, you can still receive it. It is better to receive the vaccine late than not at all.

If you are over 18 and have not already been vaccinated this year it is very likely that you can safely receive the Flu Vaccine. It is usually advised that pregnant women receive the vaccine. There is no evidence that it can harm an unborn baby, or a baby being breastfed.

There is one type of Flu Vaccine that should only be administered to pregnant women from their second trimester onwards. Your assessing clinician will use the information in your questionnaire to make sure that the vaccine is safe for you.

Certain illnesses and allergies will prevent you from receiving the vaccine. You should list any illnesses or allergies when filling out your questionnaire.