// Members of public can receive free NHS flu jabs from Asda carparks
// The scheme will run across 13 stores nationwide
// Patients “won’t even need to leave their car to get a jab,” says Asda pharmacist
Asda has announced it will launch a drive-thru flu jab service for people at risk of catching coronavirus.
The supermarket group will today begin offering flu jabs free of charge to anyone eligible for the treatment on the NHS, including elderly people, pregnant women, those with underlying health conditions and frontline health workers, including carers.
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Pharmacy branches in 13 Asda stores will offer the jabs to pregnant and elderly people from car parks across the UK.
Asda said the service will allow people to be vaccinated without them coming into contact with the public.
“The sad truth is that there is an increased mortality risk if you catch COVID-19 when you already have the flu,” said Asda pharmacist Maq Din.
“As a result some of our most vulnerable members of society are at twice the risk compared to others, which is why we are encouraging everyone to get a flu jab this year; it is more vital now than ever,” Din added.
Customers book a slot by completing Asda’s flu jab questionnaire, at which point they will be given a time slot and a parking bay to visit.
The Asda stores offering the service are: Accrington, Bodmin, Eastbourne, Gosport, Hartlepool, Hyde, Nuneaton, Old Kent Road, Oldbury, Pilsworth, Sheffield, South Shields and Wakefield Durkar.
“We are putting a number of measures in place at our drive-through flu jab centres, so patients can be assured that it is safe to visit – and they won’t even need to leave their car to get a jab,” Din added.
“Contact time will be kept to a minimum in order to allow pharmacists to be as efficient as possible.”
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