Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about our services at Highfield Pharmacy St Albans.
Travel Vaccinations & Travel Health
Common questions about travel vaccines, antimalarials, and pre-trip health advice at Highfield Pharmacy St Albans.
Q.Where can I get travel vaccinations near St Albans?
A.Highfield Pharmacy in Highfield Park, St Albans offers a full travel vaccination service. Our pharmacists provide destination-specific risk assessments and administer vaccines including Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis, Meningitis ACWY, and more. No GP referral is needed — book a private travel health consultation directly with us.
Q.Which travel vaccines are available at Highfield Pharmacy St Albans?
A.We stock a wide range of travel vaccines including Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis, Tick-borne Encephalitis, Cholera (oral), Meningitis ACWY, and Diphtheria/Tetanus/Polio boosters. Yellow Fever vaccination may also be available — please call 01727 582019 to confirm current availability.
Q.How far in advance should I book my travel vaccination appointment?
A.We recommend booking 6 to 8 weeks before your departure date. Some vaccines, such as Hepatitis B and Rabies, require a course of multiple doses spread over several weeks. However, we can still help with shorter timelines and will provide the best protection possible in the time available.
Q.Are travel vaccines available on the NHS?
A.A small number of travel vaccines are available free through your GP, including Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Cholera, and combined Diphtheria/Tetanus/Polio boosters. However, most travel vaccines — such as Yellow Fever, Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis, and Hepatitis B for travel — are only available privately. At Highfield Pharmacy, we can supply all of these without needing a GP appointment.
Q.Can children have travel vaccines at Highfield Pharmacy?
A.Yes, we vaccinate children subject to age limits for each specific vaccine. Please mention your child's age when booking so our pharmacist can confirm suitability and prepare the correct doses.
Flu Vaccinations
Questions about NHS and private flu jabs at Highfield Pharmacy St Albans.
Q.Can I get a flu jab without a GP appointment in St Albans?
A.Yes. Highfield Pharmacy in Highfield Park, St Albans offers both NHS flu vaccinations (for eligible patients) and private flu jabs. You can walk in during flu season (typically September to March) or book ahead to guarantee a slot. No GP referral is required.
Q.Who is eligible for a free NHS flu vaccine?
A.You may qualify for a free NHS flu jab if you are aged 65 or over, pregnant, an unpaid carer, living in a care home, or have certain long-term conditions such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease. If you're eligible, we can vaccinate you under the NHS service at no charge.
Q.How much does a private flu jab cost at Highfield Pharmacy?
A.Private flu vaccination pricing varies by season. Please call us on 01727 582019 or visit in-store for the current price. The appointment typically takes around 10 to 15 minutes including a suitability check and short post-vaccine observation.
Q.When is the best time to get a flu jab?
A.Late September to early November is ideal, as it gives the vaccine time to provide protection before flu begins circulating widely. However, getting vaccinated any time during flu season is still worthwhile.
Emergency Contraception
Information about the morning-after pill and emergency contraception at Highfield Pharmacy St Albans.
Q.Where can I get the morning-after pill in St Albans?
A.Highfield Pharmacy in Highfield Park, St Albans provides emergency contraception on a walk-in basis. Our pharmacists can supply the morning-after pill after a short, confidential consultation in a private room. Under the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service, it may be free for eligible patients in England.
Q.Is the emergency contraception service confidential?
A.Yes, completely. Consultations take place in a private consultation room, and we do not share information with anyone — including your GP — without your consent. The service is available to anyone who needs it.
Q.How soon do I need to take emergency contraception?
A.Emergency contraception is most effective the sooner it is taken. Levonorgestrel works up to 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex, and ulipristal acetate (ellaOne) works up to 120 hours (5 days). Both are more effective the earlier you take them, so visit us as soon as possible.
Q.Is the morning-after pill free at Highfield Pharmacy?
A.Yes, for eligible patients under the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service in England. If you do not qualify for free supply, the same treatment is available privately for a fee. Please ask in-store for current pricing.
Ear Wax Removal
Questions about earwax microsuction removal at Highfield Pharmacy St Albans.
Q.Where can I get ear wax removal in St Albans?
A.Highfield Pharmacy in Highfield Park, St Albans offers earwax microsuction removal. This is a safe, modern method that uses gentle suction to remove excess earwax without water. The procedure is performed by experienced healthcare professionals and often provides immediate relief from blocked ears.
Q.Is earwax microsuction painful?
A.No, microsuction is generally painless. It can be slightly noisy due to the suction device, but most patients find it very comfortable. The procedure usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes for both ears.
Q.Do I need to use ear drops before my appointment?
A.Using olive oil ear drops for a few days before your appointment can help soften the wax and make removal easier. However, it is not always necessary. Your clinician will advise if ear drops are recommended during your consultation.
Q.How much does ear wax removal cost at Highfield Pharmacy?
A.Please call us on 01727 582019 or visit in-store for current pricing. We offer initial consultations, single-ear and both-ear treatments, and follow-up appointments.
Pharmacy First & NHS Services
Information about Pharmacy First, NHS prescriptions, and community pharmacy services at Highfield Pharmacy St Albans.
Q.What is Pharmacy First and what conditions can you treat?
A.Pharmacy First is an NHS service that allows pharmacists to assess and treat seven common conditions without needing a GP appointment. At Highfield Pharmacy, we can treat sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women. The service is free on the NHS.
Q.Can I get repeat prescriptions at Highfield Pharmacy?
A.Yes. You can nominate Highfield Pharmacy as your preferred pharmacy through the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS). Once nominated, your repeat prescriptions are sent directly to us by your GP, so you can collect them without needing a paper prescription.
Q.How do I nominate Highfield Pharmacy for my prescriptions?
A.You can nominate us by asking at the pharmacy counter, through your GP surgery, or via the NHS App. Our ODS code will be used to link your prescriptions directly to Highfield Pharmacy in Highfield Park, St Albans.
General Pharmacy Information
Location, opening hours, parking, and general information about Highfield Pharmacy St Albans.
Q.Is there an NHS pharmacy near Highfield Park, St Albans?
A.Yes. Highfield Pharmacy is located at 3 Loyd Court, 63 Russet Drive, Highfield Park, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL4 0AZ. We are a GPhC-registered NHS community pharmacy offering prescriptions, vaccinations, Pharmacy First, travel health, and private healthcare services.
Q.What are Highfield Pharmacy's opening hours?
A.We are open Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. We are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. For the most up-to-date opening hours, especially during bank holidays, please call 01727 582019.
Q.Is there parking at Highfield Pharmacy?
A.Yes, free parking is available on-site at Highfield Park. The pharmacy has full wheelchair access and step-free consultation rooms.
Q.Which areas does Highfield Pharmacy serve?
A.Highfield Pharmacy serves patients across St Albans, Fleetville, Marshalswick, Highfield Park, London Colney, Hatfield, and the wider Hertfordshire area. We are easily accessible from St Albans city centre and the A414.
Q.How can I contact Highfield Pharmacy?
A.You can call us on 01727 582019, email info@highfieldpharmacyclinic.co.uk, or visit us at 3 Loyd Court, 63 Russet Drive, Highfield Park, St Albans, AL4 0AZ. You can also contact us through our website at www.highfieldpharmacyclinic.co.uk/contactus.
Still have questions?
Our pharmacy team is here to help. Reach out to us directly or visit us in St Albans.