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Original poster

How does a 16 year old get a flu jab?

16 replies

fannythewonderdog · 15/12/2025 19:03

My dh is immunocompromised. He got the covid and flu jab via the NHS in October and, as I live in the same house as him, I got the flu jab at a similar time. I asked at Boots (where I had mine done) about my son as he’s now at college and I hadn’t heard anything about them having it. The pharmacist checked and I can’t book, even to pay, for him as he’s under 18.

i have contacted my NHS practice and they said firstly that I should check with college. I told them that college don’t do them and he then said that my husband “isn't immunocompromised enough” (he’s on biologics - I thought that was pretty immunocompromised) to warrant giving it to him. I am happy to pay, but how do I get an appointment for him?

Any advice very gratefully
received!

OP posts:
P00hsticks · 15/12/2025 19:29

Edit - apologies I've just re-read your post so removed mine ....

mindutopia · 15/12/2025 19:31

16 year olds should be eligible for the nasal spray via school. Is it that the college doesn’t do them because there are only a handful of 16 year olds? I would enquire where they would recommend he gets it. There is usually a school catch up day at a local GP for 2-16 year olds who missed it in school. The tricky bit is that he has probably missed that day, which was probably last month.

That said, if your Dh has had his jabs, that is the most important protection. I’m also immunocompromised, on biologics, and had my flu and COVID jabs. The Christmas break should offer a good break for school based infections, so if you’re sensible during that time, things should hopefully be better in the new year.

GoodBrew · 15/12/2025 19:35

Contact your local school immunisation team, maybe they will have catch up clinics for anyone at college who got missed.

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Original poster
fannythewonderdog · 15/12/2025 19:37

Thanks for the replies. But @mindutopia it seems crazy that if he’d stayed at school he could have got one but because he’s at a college - that doesn’t do them - he can’t get one. I’d happily pay! Pretty much no 16 and 17 year olds can get them then (as most are doing apprenticeships or at college).

OP posts:
Original poster
fannythewonderdog · 15/12/2025 19:37

GoodBrew · 15/12/2025 19:35

Contact your local school immunisation team, maybe they will have catch up clinics for anyone at college who got missed.

Thanks @GoodBrew. He didn’t get missed, they didn’t have them!

OP posts:
Wishitsnows · 15/12/2025 19:45

My daughters 6th form don’t do them either they only did them to year5 and below. Have been trying to find out how to get one too!

musicmaiden · 15/12/2025 19:45

My 16yo didn't get offered one via college but we took him to a local kids flu vax catch-up at the library. Had to book online and had to say what year of education he was in. Was free and no problem. Suggest googling for your county/borough's catch-up services?

SmallCitrusFruit · 15/12/2025 19:47

You can definitely book and pay for a 16 year old at a pharmacy. Perhaps not all, but Boots and Superdrug both do it - my 16yo missed the school date so we paid for it.

SilverBlue56 · 15/12/2025 19:52

You can pay at Tesco pharmacy for this age and also some Well pharmacies. I keep having to pay for my son to have one as he's one year outside the age group that gets them at school.

RacingAcrossTheSofa · 15/12/2025 19:54

Mine is younger, but when he missed the school clinic I booked it through the 0-19 team (basically who the health visitors hand over to at 5). So probably worth trying them?

Turkeysausagepie · 15/12/2025 19:55

You can definitely pay for children to have it. I paid for my 2 year old at Superdrug. Just check what pharmacies will offer it to children. They only do the injection though.

edwinbear · 15/12/2025 19:55

DS is in Y12 at school and they haven’t had them either. Y9 DD had hers, I’ve also had one but I can’t find anywhere that will do 16yr old DS. Boots/Tesco etc all out of stock, private pharmacies won’t vaccinate under 18’s. He’s just going to have to get ale his chances I think.

Sandyoldshoes · 15/12/2025 19:56

Tesco - very straightforward, book online.

Newmeagain · 15/12/2025 20:00

That is odd, because I thought the rules have changed on pharmacies giving flu vaccinations to under 18s.

i remember around 8 or 10 years ago having to take my dd to a private gp to get one (we were going to be travelling and I was keen for us both to be protected).

but more recently - I think 3 years ago - she did have one at a pharmacy.

maybe check some independent pharmacies?

BlackberryAppleCrumble · 15/12/2025 20:57

Boots definitely do them, though not at all pharmacies. My 17yo dd had one last week.

DelinquentSnails · 15/12/2025 21:04

Check again at Boots. DD16 has hers’ there in November. We just booked online.
Otherwise, try a private GP. They are also more likely to have stock in.

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