Keeping well during winter
Your local pharmacy is more than just a place to pick up prescriptions and cough medicine.
It’s somewhere you can walk in anytime during opening hours and get friendly, professional health advice – no appointment needed. Pharmacists are trained experts who can help you with common health worries, explain treatments, and offer quick winter services like flu jabs, COVID-19 jabs, and blood pressure checks.
If you’re unsure about anything, or want to know if a service is free for you, just ask the pharmacy team. They’re there to help.
Flu Vaccine - Who can get it for free?
You can get the NHS flu vaccine if you:
- are aged 65 or over (including those turning 65 by 31 March)
- are younger than 65 but have certain long-term health conditions
- are pregnant
- live in a residential care home
- are the main carer for someone, or receive carer’s allowance
- are a close contact for a person who has a weakened immune system
- are a frontline health or social care worker
If you’re not eligible for the free jab, many pharmacies also offer paid flu vaccinations. If you’re unsure, the pharmacy team can help check your eligibility.
Please note – Flu vaccine season runs between September and March
Find a pharmacy offering flu jabs
COVID-19 Vaccine - Who can get it for free?
You can get the NHS winter COVID-19 vaccine if you:
- are aged 75 or over (including those turning 75 by 31 January 2026)
- younger than 75 and have a weakened immune system due to a health condition or treatment
- live or work in an older adult care home
If you are not eligible for the free jab, some pharmacies offer paid COVID-19 vaccinations.
Local COVID-19 vaccination sitesBlood Pressure Checks
You can get a free blood pressure check if you:
- are aged 40 or over and not currently on hypertension (high blood pressure) medication
- are younger than 40 and not on hypertension medication but who has concerns or a family history of high blood pressure
- live in England
What to expect
A pharmacy team member will wrap a cuff around your upper arm and take a reading. They will explain what your result means and may:
- give simple advice to support healthy living
- lend you a home monitor to use and return
- suggest you see your GP if your reading needs follow-up
If you are registered with a GP surgery, your reading can be added to your GP health record.
Blood pressure checks near you
Why these checks and vaccinations matter
Winter illnesses can hit harder than people expect. Flu and COVID-19 spread more easily in cold weather and can lead to serious complications, especially for older people or anyone with health conditions.
Cold weather can also have an effect on your blood pressure, as the body works a bit harder to stay warm. You won’t usually feel any symptoms, so a quick check at the pharmacy is an easy way to stay on top of your health.
Getting your vaccines and having a blood pressure check are simple steps that can help you stay well and support the NHS during its busiest time of year.
More Resources
Special thanks to Lincoln Pharmacy and Britannia Pharmacies in Tower Hamlets for their advice and support on this campaign and in helping local people stay healthy this winter.
