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About flu
Flu is a contagious viral disease that can spread by coughing, sneezing, or touching contaminated surfaces or people. It will often get better, but it can make some people seriously ill. If you are advised to do so, it is essential to get the flu vaccine.
Preventative measures such as getting a flu vaccine, washing your hands regularly and avoiding contact with those suffering from the virus are essential steps to protecting you and your loved ones against the spread of the flu.
Who can have the flu vaccine?
NHS flu vaccination service
For the 2024/25 flu season, the flu vaccine is given free on the NHS to adults aged:
65 and over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2025)
18 and over who;
Have certain health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, lung heart, kidney or liver disease
Are pregnant (including those women who become pregnant during the flu season)
Are in long-stay residential care
Receive a carer's allowance, or are the primary carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
Have a weakened immune system, such as someone living with HIV, someone who has had a transplant, or is having specific treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis (or in close contact with someone who has)
Private flu vaccination service
If you are not eligible for the free NHS flu jab, you can get the private flu jab at your local Midway Pharmacy.
Prefer to book this service over the phone?
Call us on 0113 322 9984
What our customers think
5 out of 5 stars
Vaccinations all given professionally plus lots of useful medical advice given for our holiday.
Andy Boothroyd
5 out of 5 stars
Offered me a blood pressure check which I happily accepted. Attended on the same day. Asked if it were possible to pay for a flu jab (I’m not eligible yet) and got that at the same time! Excellent!! Very polite and helpful.
Penny Speers
5 out of 5 stars
Professional and conscientious staff. Mehwish did a great job syringing my ears, thanks 😊
Thomas Francos
5 out of 5 stars
I booked the ear syringing service at Midway Pharmacy in Morley through the online booking system. Really friendly and professional service from Sharon. I’m really grateful to be able to hear properly again. The treatment only took a few minutes and Sharon is clearly really well trained at what she does. Thank you again.
Paul Mcgrath
Frequently asked questions
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, email our customer care team or chat with us.
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What are the symptoms of the flu?
Symptoms will vary for each person, but common flu symptoms include the following:
headaches
sore throat
stuffy or runny nose
persistent, dry cough
chills and sweats
high temperature (fever)
aching muscles
tiredness
loss of appetite
diarrhoea
feeling and being sick.
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Can I have the flu jab if I am pregnant?
It's safe to have a flu vaccine at any stage of pregnancy. You should have the flu vaccine if you're pregnant to help protect you and your baby.
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How effective is the flu vaccine?
Vaccination gives the best protection against the flu.
Flu vaccines help protect against the main types of flu viruses, although there's a chance you might get the flu. If you get flu after vaccination, it's likely to be milder and not last as long.
Having a flu vaccine may help stop you from spreading the flu to other people who could be more at risk of severe problems from the flu.
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What are the side effects of the flu jab?
Flu vaccines are very safe. Most side effects are mild and only last for a day or so, such as:
a slightly raised temperature
muscle aches
a sore arm at the site of the injection – this is more likely to happen with one of the vaccines for people aged 65 and over
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How can I reduce the discomfort from the side effects of the flu jab?
Try these tips to help reduce the discomfort:
continue to move your arm regularly
take a painkiller, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen – some people, including those who are pregnant, should not take ibuprofen unless a doctor recommends it
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Will I have an allergic reaction to the flu vaccine?
It's infrequent for anyone to have a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to the flu vaccine. If this does happen, it usually happens within minutes.
The person vaccinating you will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.
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How can I help protect my business from flu?
At Midway Pharmacy, we can help you protect your workforce with our corporate flu jab service. Contact our customer care team for more information.
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Can the flu jab give me flu?
The flu vaccine does not contain live viruses, so they cannot give you the flu.
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What is the difference between a cold and the flu?
Cold and flu symptoms are similar, but the flu tends to be more severe.
Differences between cold and flu:
Cold
Flu
Appears quickly within a few hours
Appears gradually
Affects more than just your nose and throat
Affects mainly your nose and throat
Makes you feel exhausted and too unwell to carry on as normal
Makes you feel unwell, but you still feel well enough to do your normal activities
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Can antibiotics treat the flu?
GPs do not recommend antibiotics for flu because they will not relieve your symptoms or speed up your recovery.
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How do I avoid spreading the flu?
Flu is very infectious and quickly spreads to other people. You're more likely to give it to others in the first five days. Germs spread flu from coughs and sneezes, which can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours.
To reduce the risk of spreading the flu:
wash your hands often with warm water and soap
cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
bin used tissues as quickly as possible
Stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to do your normal activities.
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Can children have the flu jab?
The children's nasal spray flu vaccine is given to:
children aged 2 or 3 on 31 August 2022 (born between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2020)
all primary school children
some secondary school children
children aged 2 to 17 with certain health conditions
Babies and children aged six months to 2 years with certain health conditions will be offered a flu vaccine injection instead of the nasal spray.
You should contact your GP to enquire about vaccinating children, as pharmacies do not offer the NHS flu jab for children.
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Why do I need a flu jab every year?
The virus that causes flu rapidly mutates and evolves into new strains. Each year, experts from organisations like the World Health Organization identify which strains pose the most significant risk in the upcoming flu season. A vaccine is developed to protect against those strains before each flu season starts.
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Do I need to book an appointment for a flu jab?
No, you can walk in to have your flu jab without an appointment. However, we always recommend booking an appointment to avoid disappointment.
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Where is this service available?
This service is available in our branches, which are commutable from anywhere in Yorkshire, including Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, York, Huddersfield, Sheffield, Barnsley, Hull, Doncaster, Ripon, Harrogate, Dewsbury, Keighley and Scarborough.
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Are next-day appointments available?
Yes, you can get next-day appointments at all our branches. Contact our customer care team if you cannot find an available slot.
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Next-day appointments are available at our branches.