Winter Flu Jabs Available in September
Flu, or influenza, is a contagious respiratory infection commonly known as “just the flu.” Despite its perception as a mild illness, it can be severe and even fatal.
It spreads through coughs and sneezes, affecting people of all ages. Complications like pneumonia can arise, particularly in those deemed vulnerable, such as the young and elderly, although even healthy individuals can experience severe illness.
In the UK, the peak flu season is usually from late December to March, but timing varies in different regions, and it is important to be vaccinated before then. Most people are vaccinated between September to November each year.
Getting vaccinated is easy. We are a London-based clinic which allows walk ins as well as booked appointments. Early vaccination is crucial to allow sufficient time for full immunity to develop before potential exposure.
Our comprehensive range of flu vaccinations caters to individuals aged 6 months and older, ensuring the whole family can be protected.
What types of flu jabs do you offer?
Standard Trivalent- £32
This is the most widely used flu jab. Standard Trivalent vaccines are egg-based and offer good general protection for healthy adults at a lower price point.
Suitable for: 6 months old – 64 years
Cell-Based Trivalent- £45
Manufactured using cell cultures rather than traditional egg-based production, this provides a closer match with circulating flu strains and may be slightly more protective. Also recommended for egg allergy or egg-free vaccine preference.
Suitable for: 2 years – 64 years
Premium Recombinant Trivalent- £49
Manufactured using recombinant technology rather than traditional methods, this vaccine offers a precise match to circulating flu strains and may provide enhanced protection. It is also a suitable option for those with egg allergies or who prefer an egg-free vaccine.
Suitable for +18 Years
Should I get the flu jab every year?
Yes, the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to get the flu jab each year.
This is especially important for those with health concerns that make them more vulnerable to flu complications.
The strains of flu in circulation change each year and so the previous year’s vaccine may protect against this year’s dominant strains. Immunity to flu is not long-lasting, so an annual flu jab is essential for maximum protection.
Our recommended vaccines are the premium recombinant trivalent, and cell-based trivalent, due to their superior protection. These vaccines provide enhanced immunity compared to the standard flu jab. The cell-based trivalent vaccine avoids egg adaptation, resulting in a better match to circulating flu strains, while the premium recombinant vaccine is manufactured using recombinant technology rather than traditional methods, this vaccine offers a precise match to circulating flu strains and may provide enhanced protection.
The standard trivalent vaccine offers good protection at a more affordable price point. Take a look at all our options and decide which flu jab best suits you. If you are unsure, book a standard trivalent and discuss with your nurse at your appointment. They may advise you upgrade to another vaccine, based on your health, medical history and/or your age.
The Standard Quadrivalent vaccine offers good protection at a more affordable price point.
Take a look at all our options and decide which flu jab best suits you. If you are unsure, book a Standard Quadrivalent and discuss with your nurse at your appointment. They may advise you upgrade to another vaccine, based on your health, medical history and/or your age.
When is the best time to get vaccinated?
Ideally you would want to be vaccinated prior to exposure to the flu virus.
Flu jabs take 14-21 days to reach maximum protection so the earlier you have your flu jab, the better protected you will be.
Vaccinations first become available during September. October and November are the busiest months for vaccination, and flu typically circulates in the UK between Christmas and Easter.
This year, it has started early.
Remember it’s never too late to be vaccinated.
Can you vaccinate babies & children?
Yes. Vaccinating babies & children is important as it not only protects them but it stops them from spreading the flu virus.
Children are often referred to in the media as “super spreaders” for the flu. Luckily there are a few options to vaccinate babies and children.
Standard Trivalent – this is an egg-based injected vaccine.
Suitable from 6 months old
Cell-Based Trivalent – this is an injected vaccine recommended for severe egg allergy or egg-free vaccine preference.
Suitable from 2 years old
Due to supply issues and delays over the last few years we have made the decision to remove the nasal flu spray from this year’s vaccination options.
We recommend all parents prioritise their child’s flu protection by booking an injected vaccine instead of waiting for the nasal spray. Ensuring adequate flu protection for your child is of utmost importance.
I’m young and healthy, do I still need to get vaccinated?
Although vaccination protects the person who had the vaccine by building in antibodies, that is not their only purpose in society.
If the majority of a population is vaccinated, it offers protection to vulnerable people who either can’t get a flu vaccine or those in whom the flu vaccine is less effective. We should be thinking about how the flu jab helps the wider community we live in and to remember even healthy and young people can experience complications due to the flu.
Why do I need a flu jab?
To protect your health and those around you.
Flu can be a miserable illness, sometimes with serious complications. If you become infected, you can easily pass it on to people you care about, who may be more vulnerable than you.
Our Patients Speak for Us
Clare Elliott
Very easy to book. The nurse was great with my nervous daughter. I would recommend for travel vaccinations.
Geraldine
Great clinic with a very helpful team. The nurse explained each vaccine in detail which was very enlightening. I was seen on time and felt well looked after.
Jouko
I have only had good experiences visiting the Fleet Street Clinic for my vaccinations, and particularly appreciate the flexible, friendly, individualised, swift, efficient and effective service. Thank you all, and see you again soon.
M P
We were grateful for the helpful advice they gave us and the chance to speak to a nurse before we booked our appointment. The nurse we saw was very informative, efficient and kind and the reception staff were friendly and professional.
Paul Vella
Excellent service, had a private Covid and Flu vaccination here arrived early and was called in by the nurse almost immediately, very pleasant surroundings and lovely stuff would use again worth £125 to get protected as not eligible for free vaccinations.
Mrs L Butler
From the moment I arrived I was treated with care, kindness and respect. There was no waiting around, care was highly competent, reassuring and knowledgeable. I got everything I needed in 1 trouble free visit and left grateful for the service. I would definitely use again. The building is traditional, in an historic part of London, so if you are looking for gleaming chrome and plastic minimalist clinic aesthetic this isn’t you but the service and facilities are fully up to date.
Vlad Cochintoiu
Had a great experience booking and getting a last minute rapid rabies jab with Fleet Street Clinic! They even booked me in out of hours for my jab because it was the only way to do it before my travels! Thank you to everyone who assisted me.
Blake
Had to get a whooping cough vaccine to visit my new nephew in Australia…couldn’t have asked for a better service. Phoned on during the week, booked in for 9am, I arrived a few minutes early and was walking out the door vaccinated and back to work in less than 10 minutes after a refreshing chat with the lovely staff. What more can you ask for???
Liz N
Excellent service, well organised travel clinic with expert and well trained staff. Highly recommended.
Hannah
I went to Fleet Street Clinic to get the rabies vaccine and it was a great service! The jabs were the cheapest I could find around London but the clinic was really clean and professional. Would recommend to come here for travel vaccines!
FAQS
For 2024/2025, the strains are:
Standard Trivalent Flu Jab
· an A/Victoria/4897/2022 (H1N1)pdm09- like virus
· an A/Croatia/10136RV/2023 (H3N2)-like virus
· a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)- like virus.
Cell or recombinant-based vaccines
· an A/Wisconsin/67/2022 (H1N1)pdm09- like virus
· an A/District of Columbia/27/2023 (H3N2)- like virus
· a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)- like virus. Click to book your Flu Jab or Call to Book
Click to book your Flu Jab or Call to Book
Flu jabs are very safe for pregnant women.
If the mother has a flu vaccination in the second or third trimester, it confers protection to the newborn, making it not only safe and recommended for the month but also offers babies some protection against the virus.
This is important because flu vaccinations are only protective for babies from 6 months onwards.
Trivalent flu jabs including cell-based options are available now – Click to book your Flu Jab.
Continue reading our blog: Flu protection for expecting mothers.
Yes, as you’ve never had the flu until you’ve had flu.
Just because you have been fortunate to not have had the flu up until now doesn’t mean you will never get it. The vaccine won’t offer you 100% protection but if you do get sick, you’ll most likely have less severe symptoms. Not only that, but flu vaccinations offer protection to those you love, those you work with and those vulnerable in your wider community.
Click to book your Flu Jab or Call to Book
Yes. At Fleet St. Clinic, we offer cell and recombinant based vaccines for those with severe egg or chicken protein allergies.
It is a trivalent flu jab protecting against the same 3-strains as the standard trivalent flu jab.
You can book your cell-based or premium recombinant, egg-free flu jab online here.
Due to ongoing supply issues over the past few years, resulting in delays and cancellations, we have decided to remove the nasal flu spray from our flu vaccine offerings this year.
We offer alternative options for parents with children and young adults under 18:
· Standard trivalent flu jab
· Cell-based trivalent flu jab
Click to book your Flu Jab or Call to Book
If you’re currently feeling sick/ unwell, it is best to wait until you are feeling better before getting vaccinated.
Babies under 6-months should be vaccinated but we encourage mothers to get vaccinated whilst still pregnant so that some immunity can be passed on to the newborn during this time.
Those with complex health needs or allergies to any ingredients within the flu jab should first speak with one of our GPs to determine if they are suitable for the flu jab.
Click to book your Flu Jab or Call to Book
The flu vaccine is not a live vaccine meaning you cannot get the flu from a flu jab.
Most people have little to no side effects following vaccination. The most common side effect is a reaction at the injection site. This can be tenderness, redness and slight swelling. This usually clears up in a day or two and as the flu vaccine is generally given in a patient’s non-dominant arm, this doesn’t cause any issues.
Other side effects may include, headache, muscle aches, low-grade fever and/ or nausea. Again these are short-lived, experienced for no longer than 1-2 days.
Rest and paracetamol is usually advised. Serious side effects are extremely rare.
Click to book your Flu Jab or Call to Book
