NHS FLU ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AT BOOTS


The eligible groups for a free flu jab vary in each country and may be updated during the winter flu season.

Most of our pharmacies in England will be providing free NHS flu vaccinations for the 24/25 Flu Season from September 2024 – please check in store for details.


Below is a summary of those who are eligible for a free NHS flu vaccination in community pharmacy. This is not a complete list. Other eligible groups and ages may be able to get a free flu vaccination via their GP (eligibility criteria may apply).


From September:

  • Pregnant women (18+ years) 
  • Those who have been advised by their GP that they require an annual flu vaccination in September e.g. those due to start Chemotherapy, should visit their local Boots store to check their eligibility for a vaccination (before October) in a Pharmacy. 

From October:

  • Age 65+ years (including those turning 65 years on or before 31st March 2025)
  • Age 18+ years with any of the following conditions:

      - Diabetes

      - Asthma (treated with a preventer inhaler) / COPD or any other long-term lung condition

      - A long-term heart condition

      - Kidney or liver disease

      - A neurological condition such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease or MS

      - A learning disability

      - A Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or more (severely overweight)

      - A weakened immune system (or are in close contact with someone who has a weakened immune system) due to a medical condition such as HIV,

  •  Age 18+ years and:

      - A carer in receipt of carer’s allowance, or the main carer of an older or disabled person

      - A frontline healthcare worker in social care or a hospice that does not have an employer-led occupational health flu vaccination scheme

      - Living in long-stay residential care

Most of our pharmacies in Wales will be providing free NHS flu vaccinations from September 2024 – please check in store for details.

Below is a summary of those who are eligible for a free NHS flu vaccination in community pharmacy. This is not a complete list. Other eligible groups and ages may be able to get a free flu vaccination via their GP (eligibility criteria may apply).

From Semtember

  • Pregnant women (18+ years) can be vaccinated in September if delaying until October would risk missing out on receiving a vaccination.

From October

  • Age 65+ years (including those turning 65 years on or before 31st March 2025)
  • Age 18+ years with any of the following conditions:

      - Diabetes

      - Asthma (treated with a preventer inhaler) / COPD or any other long-term lung condition

      - A long-term heart condition

      - Kidney or liver disease

      - A neurological condition such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease or MS

      - Epilepsy

      - A learning disability

      - Severe mental illness

      - A Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or more (severely overweight)

      - A weakened immune system (or are in close contact with someone who has a weakened immune system) due to a medical condition such as HIV, medication or treatment (e.g. cancer chemotherapy)

  • Age 18+ years and:

      - A carer or frontline healthcare worker

      - A resident in a Welsh prison

      - Living with a learning disability

  • Those experiencing homelessness

The eligibility criteria for these areas are yet to be published. We will update this page accordingly once we have further information.

The eligibility criteria for these areas are yet to be published. We will update this page accordingly once we have further information.

All our Boots pharmacies in Jersey will offer the free States-funded flu vaccination. Eligibility criteria to be confirmed, please visit: www.gov.je

Private service only available at Boots. Eligibility criteria and charges apply. (Please check eligibility for accessing the flu vaccination elsewhere with your GP surgery).

*Please note: the eligibility for a free flu vaccination varies across the UK and the criteria may change during the flu season, so you may want to check local guidance before booking.