Flu Vaccine Service

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Stay Protected This Winter with a Flu Vaccination

Flu spreads easily during the colder months, passing from person to person through coughs, sneezes, and contaminated surfaces. Getting vaccinated is one of the most effective ways to reduce your risk and help protect those around you.

At First Stop Pharmacy in Glasgow, Kirkintilloch and Lanarkshire, we offer both NHS and private flu vaccinations throughout the winter flu season.

What You Need to Know About Flu

The flu virus

The flu virus is highly infectious and can travel through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also be picked up from surfaces such as door handles or countertops, making regular handwashing especially important at this time of year.

Common Symptoms

Flu tends to come on quickly and is generally more intense than a common cold. Typical symptoms include:

  • High temperature and chills

  • Headache

  • Fatigue or a general feeling of weakness

  • Aching muscles

  • Sore throat

  • Blocked or runny nose

  • Stomach discomfort or diarrhoea

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Reduced appetite

  • Difficulty sleeping

  • Persistent or worsening cough

How Long Does Flu Last?

Many people start to recover within a week, although tiredness can continue for longer. If your symptoms become severe or fail to improve you should seek medical guidance from one of our Pharmacists.

Why Have a Flu Vaccination?

  • Lowers the likelihood of becoming infected with flu

  • If you do get the virus, symptoms are usually milder and recovery tends to be quicker

  • Helps shield those at higher risk from serious complications, including pneumonia

  • Especially important for children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and anyone with long-term health conditions or reduced immunity

Cost

  • NHS flu vaccinations are free for those people who meet the eligibility criteria (see below)

  • Private flu vaccinations are available for £17.00

How to Reduce Your Risk of Flu

Having a flu vaccination each winter is the most effective form of protection, but there are also simple daily habits that help reduce the spread of the virus.

Good hand hygiene is particularly important. Washing your hands regularly with soap and water, or using hand sanitiser when soap isn’t available helps prevent transmission from contaminated surfaces. Avoid touching your face, use a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and try to keep distance from anyone who appears unwell.

When combined with the yearly flu vaccination, these measures significantly lower the chances of catching or spreading flu throughout the winter months.

Free NHS Flu Vaccines

You may be eligible for a free NHS Flu Vaccine if you are:

  • Over 65 years of age

  • Pregnant

  • Those living in long-stay residential Care Homes or other long-stay care facilities;

  • Frontline Health & Social Care Workers

  • Non frontline NHS workers

  • Poultry workers & bird keepers

  • Unpaid Carers and young Carers

  • Household contacts of those with immunosuppression

  • All those aged 18 to under 65 in defined risk groups.  This includes

    • Those in clinical ‘at risk’ groups e.g. weakened immune system

    • Those experiencing homelessness or substance misuse

    • Asylum Seekers living in Home Office hotel or B&B accommodation

    • Living in a Scottish prison