Now’s the perfect time to make sure you’re protected against flu and COVID-19. Booking your winter jabs early is one of the best ways to stay healthy and avoid any nasty surprises. Whether you’re in Tamworth, Coventry, Kidderminster, or Birmingham, getting your flu jab and COVID vaccine is quick, easy with Crest Pharmacy.

We offer flu vaccines and private covid vaccinations at our range of pharmacies, many of our locations are open late so there’s appointments at time to suit you. You can find our full list of local pharmacies here.

You can also find out more information about our flu jab and covid vaccination service online, if you have any other questions please feel free to contact our team.

Why Getting the Flu and COVID Jab Is Important

Over winter flu and COVID infections can spread more easily. This is because we spend more time indoors, often in close contact with others, creating the perfect environment for viruses to circulate. Both the flu and COVID can make you very ill, but getting vaccinated helps protect you and your family from serious illness.

Flu can hit quickly and leave you bedridden for days with symptoms like a fever, body aches, and fatigue. For some people, especially those in higher-risk groups, it can lead to severe complications like pneumonia or hospitalisation. COVID-19, as we know, can also cause serious illness, particularly for older adults or those with underlying health conditions.

Getting vaccinated significantly reduces your risk of catching these viruses and, even if you do get infected, the symptoms are likely to be milder.

Who Is Eligible for the Flu Jab?

Each year, the NHS offers the flu jab to millions of people across the UK, especially to those who are more vulnerable to the virus. If you fall into one of the following groups, you should definitely book your flu jab as soon as possible:

• People aged 65 and over
• Children aged 2 and 3 years
• Pregnant women
• People with certain health conditions like diabetes, asthma, or heart disease.
• Frontline health and social care workers

If you’re not sure whether you’re eligible, check with your one of our pharmacists. If you’re not in one of the above groups but would still like to get the flu jab, we offer the flu jab privately, ask your local pharmacist for details.

Who Is Eligible for the COVID Jab?

The COVID-19 vaccine has been a crucial tool in keeping people safe throughout the pandemic. This winter, many people will be eligible for a booster jab, particularly those in higher-risk categories. The criteria for getting the free COVID booster is similar to the flu jab criteria.

For those who aren’t eligible for the free jab we are offering the COVID vaccine privately, you can book your appointment here.

With both vaccines it’s important to book your appointment as soon as possible, as slots can fill up quickly, especially as the season progresses. While there is the option to get these vaccines from your GP, this often involves attending busy vaccine clinics with no fixed schedule. By booking with us you can get your vaccine at a time to suit you, in our comfortable and conveniently located pharmacies.

We also offer the option to add multiple patients on to one booking so you can get all of the vaccines for your family at one booking.

Plus, getting your jabs early gives your body time to build immunity before the viruses become more widespread.