If you are aged 75 or over, live in a care home for older adults, or have a weakened immune system, the COVID-19 vaccine is free on the NHS this autumn and you can have it at Bowland Pharmacy in Wythenshawe from 1 October 2026. If you are not in one of those groups, you can pay for a private COVID vaccination instead. Here is who qualifies for the free NHS vaccine in the 2026 to 2027 season, what a private appointment involves, when to have it and how to book.
If you are eligible on the NHS, use the NHS route: it is free and you do not need an invitation.
Who gets the COVID vaccine free on the NHS in autumn 2026
For the autumn 2026 programme, the NHS website says you can get a free COVID-19 vaccine if you:
- are aged 75 or over, including anyone who will be 75 by 31 January 2027
- are aged 6 months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment
- live in a care home for older adults
A weakened immune system can include blood cancer, an organ or stem cell transplant, HIV, chemotherapy, some steroid medicines, or long-term immunosuppressive treatment for a condition such as rheumatoid arthritis. The NHS list is a summary, so ask our pharmacist, your GP surgery or your specialist if you are not sure.
These are the same three groups the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advised for autumn 2026 and spring 2027. If you are 65 to 74 with no immune problem, you are not on the NHS COVID list this season.
How to get the free NHS COVID vaccine
If you are eligible, book an NHS appointment online or in the NHS App now. Appointments run from 1 October 2026, and from then you may also be able to walk in at a vaccination site, community pharmacy or GP surgery. You do not need an invitation. Bowland Pharmacy gives NHS COVID-19 vaccinations to eligible patients, alongside flu jabs, from 1 October each year. Book a slot on our COVID vaccination page or walk in.
Who can pay for a private COVID vaccine
If you are not in an NHS group and would still like to be vaccinated, Bowland Pharmacy offers a private COVID-19 vaccination. People ask for it because they live with or care for someone vulnerable, work with the public, or want to top up their protection. Suitability depends on your health and vaccination history, and the pharmacist checks first.
What a private COVID vaccination at Bowland Pharmacy involves
The appointment is short. Book a time or walk in from 1 October. The pharmacist asks about your health, any allergies and when you last had a COVID-19 vaccine, then gives the injection in our private consultation room. Most people only need one dose when it is available.
How much a private COVID vaccine costs
Our private COVID-19 vaccination price varies with stock and availability, so please ask our team for the current price before you book, on 0161 998 7114 or in the pharmacy. Our price list shows our other fees. If you are eligible on the NHS, there is no charge.
When to have it
JCVI advises a gap of usually around 6 months since your last dose, and at least 3 months, so tell the pharmacist when you last had one. If you have COVID-19 now, a high temperature or feel very unwell, wait until you are better. If you have recently recovered from COVID-19, there is no need to wait.
Having the flu jab at the same time
The NHS says you can have the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as the flu or RSV vaccine in winter. The NHS flu groups are wider than the COVID groups this season, including everyone aged 65 and over, so you may get a free flu jab even if you pay for COVID. A private flu vaccination is £25 on our price list. Our post on why the flu jab matters has more.
Side effects and who should talk to the pharmacist first
The NHS says the most common side effects are mild and get better within a week: a sore arm, tiredness, a headache, aching and mild flu-like symptoms. Rest and paracetamol can help. A severe allergic reaction is very rare, and the person vaccinating you is trained to treat it immediately. Rare cases of inflammation of the heart (myocarditis) have been reported, and most people recovered with rest and simple treatment. The vaccine cannot give you a COVID-19 infection.
Call 999 or go to A&E if, within a few days of being vaccinated, you have chest pain or tightness, severe difficulty breathing, or a fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart. Contact NHS 111 if your symptoms are getting worse or you are worried.
Most eligible people can have the vaccine, including in pregnancy or when breastfeeding. Tell the pharmacist first if you have ever had an allergic reaction, are under 18, or have a condition or treatment that severely weakens your immune system, as your GP or specialist may need to advise on timing or an extra dose.
Common questions
Can I get a private COVID vaccine if I am not eligible on the NHS?
Yes. The pharmacist will check it is suitable for you first.
How much does a private COVID jab cost in Wythenshawe?
It depends on stock and availability, so ask our team on 0161 998 7114 or in the pharmacy. It is free if you are eligible on the NHS.
Where can I get a private COVID vaccine near me?
Bowland Pharmacy, 52 Bowland Road, Wythenshawe, Manchester M23 1JX, offers NHS and private COVID-19 vaccinations from 1 October each year.
How do I book a private COVID vaccination?
Choose a time on our booking page, call 0161 998 7114, or walk in from 1 October.
Important health information
This article is general information only. It does not diagnose a condition, recommend a vaccine or medicine, or replace an individual assessment by a pharmacist, GP or specialist. For a life-threatening emergency, call 999. For urgent medical help that is not life-threatening, use NHS 111.
Sources
Official guidance checked 18 September 2026:
- NHS: COVID-19 vaccine
- NHS: Flu vaccine
- GOV.UK: JCVI statement on COVID-19 vaccination in autumn 2026 and spring 2027
Published by Bowland Pharmacy. Superintendent Pharmacist: Ahmed Al-Liabi (GPhC 2208502).
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