Reviewed by The Wellness Team. Last reviewed October 2026.
A private flu jab is the quickest way to get protected before winter if you do not qualify for a free vaccination, cannot get a convenient appointment, or simply want it done at a time that suits you. The vaccine is a single injection, takes a few minutes, and as of October 2026 this season's updated vaccine is available now. Message us on WhatsApp and we can usually arrange your jab the same day.
Can I get a private flu jab today?
Yes. A same-day in-person appointment at our Marylebone clinic includes a short consultation with the doctor, the vaccination itself, and advice on anything else you want covered while you are there. There is no waiting list and no eligibility form to fill in first: if you want the vaccine and a doctor agrees it is appropriate for you, you can have it.
Most adults have the flu jab in one short visit. You tell us about your medical history and any allergies, the doctor confirms the vaccine is suitable, and the injection goes into the upper arm. You are typically in and out within 15 to 20 minutes, though we ask you to stay briefly afterwards as a routine precaution.
Who should have the flu vaccine in 2026?
Flu is not a bad cold. It puts healthy adults in bed for a week, and it hospitalises tens of thousands of people in the UK every winter, mostly those over 65 and those with long-term conditions. As of October 2026, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation recommends annual vaccination for:
- Everyone aged 65 and over
- Pregnant women, at any stage of pregnancy
- Adults under 65 with long-term conditions such as asthma, COPD, diabetes, heart disease, kidney or liver disease, or a weakened immune system
- Carers and people who live with someone whose immune system is suppressed
If you are not in one of those groups, vaccination is still worthwhile. The vaccine cuts your chance of catching flu by roughly 40 to 60 per cent in seasons when it is well matched to circulating strains, and it makes illness milder and shorter when you do catch it. If you are already unwell and wondering whether it is flu, our guide to flu symptoms, how long it lasts and when to see a doctor covers what to look for.
What are the side effects of the flu jab?
Most people have nothing more than a slightly sore arm for a day or two. Around one in ten feel briefly achy, tired or feverish the day after; this is the immune system responding, not the flu. The injected vaccine contains no live virus, so it cannot give you flu.
Serious allergic reactions are very rare, which is one reason the vaccine is given by a clinician who asks about your allergy history first and has you wait briefly afterwards. If you have had a severe reaction to a previous flu vaccine or to egg protein, tell the doctor before booking, as there are egg-free options.
How much does a private flu jab cost?
As of October 2026, an in-person appointment at 10 Portman Square, Marylebone costs £220, which covers the consultation with the doctor and the vaccination itself in one visit. If you want to discuss flu vaccination alongside other concerns first, a phone consultation costs £59 and a video consultation costs £150, and the doctor can then book you in for the jab.
There are no hidden fees and no membership required. WhatsApp us with the day you want and we will confirm a time, usually within minutes.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to have the flu jab?
September to November is ideal, because protection peaks in the weeks after vaccination and flu usually circulates hardest from December onwards. It is still worth having later in winter if you have not got round to it, as flu circulates into spring.
I had the flu jab last year. Do I need it again?
Yes. Flu viruses change every year, so as of October 2026 this season's vaccine is a new formulation matched to the strains expected this winter. Last year's jab will not give reliable protection now.
Can I have the flu jab if I am pregnant?
Yes, and it is actively recommended at any stage of pregnancy. Vaccination protects you and passes antibodies to your baby for the first months of life. Mention your pregnancy when you book and the doctor will confirm the most suitable vaccine.
Can I have the flu jab at the same time as other vaccines?
In most cases yes. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are routinely given at the same appointment, one in each arm, and the same applies to most other adult vaccines. The doctor will confirm spacing for anything else you need.
Will the flu jab stop me getting ill this winter?
It protects against influenza specifically, not against colds, COVID-19 or other winter viruses. If you catch something afterwards it is far more likely to be one of those than flu, and if you do get flu after vaccination it is usually much milder.
Sources: UK Health Security Agency Green Book, chapter 19 (influenza); Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation advice on the autumn 2026 vaccination programme; NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries, seasonal influenza immunisation.
Reviewed by The Wellness Team.