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Original poster

Can’t get Flu Jab From Pharmacy

70 replies

Cherryblossom99 · 07/12/2025 16:39

Hi all, amid reports of a rise in severe flu cases I have been looking to try and get a flu jab, however I cannot seem to find any pharmacies online offering them.
I do have an underlying medical condition, but I don’t think it is covered under the eligibility criteria. I’m now panicking that I’m going to get flu. Is anyone else having difficulties trying to get a jab?

OP posts:
thetwinklycat · 07/12/2025 18:17

I also forgot to get it sorted ( I am eligible) and came down with flu this week. I'll also be more on it next year! It wasn't severe for me, if that reassures you until you can get it done. Just a couple of days in bed with a mild fever and a lingering cough.

Original poster
Cherryblossom99 · 07/12/2025 17:44

Soontobe60 · 07/12/2025 17:43

Randox Health is a private provider and has some availability this week near Belfast.£21

https://randoxhealth.com/en-GB/product/male/clinic/flu-vaccination?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21401418856&gbraid=0AAAAAou2O9C_aQDGtQMHxV5pZTAk46k4q&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyZ6T6oKskQMV8ZJQBh0cljvwEAAYASAAEgIQn_D_BwE

Fantastic! Thank you. Will have a look again, had checked Randox earlier but Belfast wasn’t showing

OP posts:
TwotierChristmas · 07/12/2025 17:43

@Minty25 interesting !I never knew they had different strength doses !

Original poster
Cherryblossom99 · 07/12/2025 17:39

Soontobe60 · 07/12/2025 17:39

Where are you located?

Northern Ireland, not too far out from Belfast

OP posts:
TwotierChristmas · 07/12/2025 17:39

@BIWI thank you I was going to ask this !

Soontobe60 · 07/12/2025 17:39

Where are you located?

Pointsettier · 07/12/2025 17:37

Soontobe60 · 07/12/2025 17:36

Tesco £16
Asda £14.97
Boots £21.95

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It's not the cost, it's finding stock that is the issue.

Soontobe60 · 07/12/2025 17:36

Cherryblossom99 · 07/12/2025 16:42

I’m willing to pay for it. It’s just finding a pharmacy with any appointments available

Show quote history

Tesco £16
Asda £14.97
Boots £21.95

Pointsettier · 07/12/2025 17:34

Cherryblossom99 · 07/12/2025 17:22

I’ve deffo learnt for next year! 🙈

Show quote history

I'm old so qualify for free because of age and the NHS sent reminders in August and we had ours in early September.

@Cherryblossom99 A chronic condition isn't a reason in itself, it depends what your medical condition is. If you are eligible for one free, you should have been contacted . Keep ringing around and also look at clinics that offer private travel vaccinations- sometimes they have them.

Have you goggled in your area? Many pharmacies have online booking which is better than phoning.

Happyjoe · 07/12/2025 17:32

Partner and I tried the same for the weekend, when not working. Absolutely nothing available - haven't tried on a weekday. Hopefully somewhere for you OP!

Original poster
Cherryblossom99 · 07/12/2025 17:32

rainbowunicorn · 07/12/2025 17:29

Lots of people with a chronic condition won't be eligible for it on the NHS though. If it is something you feel is important then you need to take the lead and sort it yourself via a pharmacy. It's less than £20. Anyone can go and get one.

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That’s what I’m trying to organise. I don’t mind paying the £20, it’s finding a chemist that are still offering them

OP posts:
Original poster
Cherryblossom99 · 07/12/2025 17:31

Funnywonder · 07/12/2025 17:23

I’m in NI too and struggling to get a vaccine for my 17yo DS. He’s at college rather than school, so wasn’t in the position of being offered it automatically. I had him booked for a branch of Boots in Lisburn (which isn’t exactly on our doorstep) on 29th December and got a phone call on Friday to say it was cancelled because they had run out of vaccines. Slightly disconcerting when you consider that’s three weeks away and I can only assume they aren’t expecting anymore, otherwise why not wait and see before cancelling? I’m going to ring round a few pharmacies tomorrow, but I’m not very hopeful. I had mine a couple of weeks ago, but DS was at college and I couldn’t get an appointment for when he was home.

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Yes, Boots in Lisburn was one I tried to book online and they were showing no appointments online for the next month

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 07/12/2025 17:30

I appreciate this is no help for this year but you can register with Boots pharmacy to be told when you can book a flu jab for next year.

ThatLemonBear · 07/12/2025 17:29

I booked an appointment with Tesco pharmacy yesterday for tomorrow. £16 as I’m not eligible for a free jab

rainbowunicorn · 07/12/2025 17:29

Cherryblossom99 · 07/12/2025 17:06

See, I do have a chronic condition but hadn’t heard from GP so just assumed I wasn’t eligible.

Show quote history

Lots of people with a chronic condition won't be eligible for it on the NHS though. If it is something you feel is important then you need to take the lead and sort it yourself via a pharmacy. It's less than £20. Anyone can go and get one.

Funnywonder · 07/12/2025 17:23

Cherryblossom99 · 07/12/2025 17:13

I’m actually in NI, tried to have a look through the online pharmacies but doesn’t seem very accurate/up to date

Show quote history

I’m in NI too and struggling to get a vaccine for my 17yo DS. He’s at college rather than school, so wasn’t in the position of being offered it automatically. I had him booked for a branch of Boots in Lisburn (which isn’t exactly on our doorstep) on 29th December and got a phone call on Friday to say it was cancelled because they had run out of vaccines. Slightly disconcerting when you consider that’s three weeks away and I can only assume they aren’t expecting anymore, otherwise why not wait and see before cancelling? I’m going to ring round a few pharmacies tomorrow, but I’m not very hopeful. I had mine a couple of weeks ago, but DS was at college and I couldn’t get an appointment for when he was home.

Original poster
Cherryblossom99 · 07/12/2025 17:22

bleakmidwintering · 07/12/2025 17:21

You need to start thinking about this in October really if you are vulnerable but I got mine at Tesco a month ago

I’ve deffo learnt for next year! 🙈

OP posts:
bleakmidwintering · 07/12/2025 17:21

You need to start thinking about this in October really if you are vulnerable but I got mine at Tesco a month ago

Original poster
Cherryblossom99 · 07/12/2025 17:13

HonoriaBulstrode · 07/12/2025 17:11

When I booked mine, I did it through the nhs online. It listed which pharmacies locally were offering it and what appointments were available.

I’m actually in NI, tried to have a look through the online pharmacies but doesn’t seem very accurate/up to date

OP posts:
BashfulClam · 07/12/2025 17:13

They get booked up fast. I book mine in July as soon as booking open (I get an e-mail from the pharmacy I use) each year and get the jab in September/October. You’ll find it really difficult this late in the year I’m afraid. Keep your hand hygiene up etc.

HonoriaBulstrode · 07/12/2025 17:11

When I booked mine, I did it through the nhs online. It listed which pharmacies locally were offering it and what appointments were available.

Original poster
Cherryblossom99 · 07/12/2025 17:06

myhaggisblewup · 07/12/2025 17:04

Not helpful but I have mine as soon as they are available in sept, as have a chronic condition.

See, I do have a chronic condition but hadn’t heard from GP so just assumed I wasn’t eligible.

OP posts:
Minty25 · 07/12/2025 17:06

I went into Boots on friday to get one as my dh has a chronic respiratory condition and I work with the elderly. I am under 60 but they only had the over 60 dose which is stronger apparently and as long as I agreed that i was happy to have the over 60 dose they agreed to give it to me.

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