This autumn the free NHS Covid jab is for adults aged 75 and over, care home residents and people who are immunosuppressed, from 1 October 2026 to 31 January 2027. The free flu jab still covers everyone aged 65 and over plus at-risk groups. If you don’t qualify, HealthPoint offers private flu (£25) and Covid (£85) jabs in Colwall and Bewdley, and you can have both in one visit.
Every autumn the same question comes up at our counters in Colwall and Bewdley: “Can I have my flu and Covid jabs, and do I have to pay?” This year the answer has changed for a lot of people. The free NHS Covid jab is limited to a much smaller group, while the free flu jab still covers millions. If you fall in the gap, you still have options, and you can often sort both jabs in one short visit.
Here’s a plain guide to what’s free, what isn’t, and how HealthPoint Pharmacy can help across Malvern, Bewdley, Kidderminster and the surrounding villages.
Who can get a free NHS flu jab in 2026/27
The NHS flu programme is still broad. For adults, the main groups are:
- Everyone aged 65 and over – from 1 October
- Adults aged 18 to 64 in a clinical risk group – for example, people with certain long-term heart, lung, kidney or liver conditions, diabetes, or a weakened immune system – from 1 October
- Pregnant women – from 1 September
- Frontline health and social care workers – from 1 October
Children aged 2 and 3, school-age children and children in clinical risk groups are also covered, mostly through their GP surgery or the school programme.
If you’re not sure whether you qualify, the full list is on the NHS website, or you can ask one of our pharmacists when you pop in.
Who can get a free NHS Covid jab this autumn
This is where most of the confusion comes from. For autumn 2026, the free NHS Covid vaccine is offered to:
- Adults aged 75 and over
- Residents in care homes for older adults
- People aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed
The NHS Covid programme runs from 1 October 2026 to 31 January 2027. If you’re eligible, you can book through the NHS App or the NHS website. Your jab will usually be given no earlier than around six months after your last dose.
That leaves a large group of people who had a free booster in previous years but won’t be invited this time. That includes many people in their 60s and early 70s. If you don’t meet the NHS criteria, a free NHS Covid vaccine isn’t available, but you can still choose a private vaccination.
Not eligible? Your private options
Not qualifying for a free jab doesn’t mean you can’t have one. HealthPoint Pharmacy offers private flu and Covid vaccinations at both our Colwall and Bewdley branches, given by our own pharmacists in a private consultation room.
Private flu jab – £25
Our private flu jab is available from September to March. It’s popular with:
- Working adults who can’t afford a week off sick over the winter
- People who look after grandchildren or older relatives
- Anyone who wants protection before the busy Christmas period
The appointment itself only takes a few minutes, and there’s no need to see your GP first.
Private Covid vaccination – £85
Our Covid vaccination service runs all year, not just in the NHS season. People often choose it if they:
- Are aged under 75 and no longer eligible for the NHS booster
- Missed their NHS appointment
- Are about to travel, or need proof of vaccination for work
- Spend time with someone more vulnerable and want extra peace of mind
When you book, let us know when you had your last Covid vaccine so our pharmacist can check the timing is right for you.
Can you have both jabs on the same day?
Yes. The NHS encourages people who are eligible for both to have their flu and Covid jabs at the same appointment, and the same applies if you’re paying privately. They’re usually given one in each arm. It saves you a second trip and helps protect you against both viruses heading into winter. Let us know when you book and we’ll set aside enough time for both.
Heading somewhere warm this winter?
Flu doesn’t stay in the UK. In the northern hemisphere, flu season runs from roughly October to March, so a winter break in Egypt, Morocco or the Canary Islands falls right in the middle of it. Airports and flights are also easy places to pick up bugs.
If you’re travelling, book your flu and Covid jabs together with your free travel consultation. Our pharmacist can check what else you need for your destination in the same visit. Planning a trip to the Red Sea or a Nile cruise? Read our guide to Egypt vaccinations this winter. Off to West Africa? See what to sort before you fly to The Gambia.
Other ways to feel your best this winter
Shorter days and colder weather leave plenty of people feeling tired and run down. If that sounds like you, low vitamin B12 is one possible cause worth checking. Our guide to the signs and symptoms of B12 deficiency explains what to look out for. We also offer vitamin B12 injections at both branches, with no GP referral needed.
How to book at HealthPoint Pharmacy
We’re a family-run pharmacy with two branches:
Colwall (Malvern Hills)
Fletton House, Walwyn Road, Malvern WR13 6QG
Call 01684 498785
Monday to Friday 9am–6pm, Saturday 9am–1pm. Free parking and step-free access.
Bewdley
66 Load Street, Bewdley DY12 2AW
Call 01299 518152
Monday to Friday 9am–6pm, Saturday 9am–5:30pm.
Serving Bewdley, Kidderminster, Stourport-on-Severn and the wider Wyre Forest.
Book your flu or Covid jab online or call your nearest branch. Appointments fill up quickly in October and November, so it’s worth booking early.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a private flu jab at HealthPoint?
£25 per jab, available from September to March at both our Colwall and Bewdley branches.
How much is a private Covid vaccine?
£85 per dose. It’s available all year, so you don’t have to wait for the NHS season.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can book a private flu or Covid jab directly with us.
Can I have the flu and Covid jabs together?
Yes, both can be given at the same appointment.
When does the NHS Covid programme run this year?
From 1 October 2026 to 31 January 2027, for eligible groups only. Eligible people can book through the NHS App or the NHS website.
I’m 72. Can I get a free Covid jab this year?
Not usually. This autumn the free NHS Covid vaccine is for people aged 75 and over, care home residents and people who are immunosuppressed. You’re still likely to qualify for a free NHS flu jab because you’re over 65, and you can book a private Covid vaccine with us.
