“Catch a bargain, not a bug” as NHS flu jabs hit the high street this Black Friday 🛍️💉

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NHS teams across England are stepping up the winter flu vaccination offer in the run-up to Christmas, bringing pop-up clinics to high streets and shopping centres during the Black Friday rush.

The nationwide push begins this weekend, with everyone eligible for a free flu jab encouraged to get protected before the festive season. The vaccine takes about two weeks to reach full effectiveness, so now is the ideal time to get it.

To make things easier, NHS staff will be offering walk-in clinics in shopping centres, high streets, football clubs and even soft play venues over the next week. So far, 15.4 million flu vaccines have been delivered, with another 2.4 million appointments available in the coming days.

Chief Nursing Officer for England, Duncan Burton, said flu has arrived early this year on the back of the season’s first cold snap, which can be risky for people aged 65 and over and those with long-term health conditions. He urged the public to take up one of the many appointments available next week, noting that getting vaccinated remains the best way to avoid serious illness. “Catch a bargain not a bug this winter,” he said, encouraging people to check local NHS pages or their pharmacy for drop-in options, or book online, through the NHS App, via 119, or through their GP practice.

Who’s eligible? 👇

  • People aged 65 and over
  • Those in clinical risk groups
  • Pregnant women and children
  • Carers and care home residents
  • Close contacts of people who are immunosuppressed
  • Frontline health and social care staff

Adults can book their flu jab through the NHS App, their GP practice, online at nhs.uk/bookflu, via 119 or by finding a local walk-in service. Parents are also reminded to complete school vaccination consent forms or book in for children aged 2 to 3 to ensure protection before the Christmas break 🎄.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said NHS teams will be out in communities over the coming days to make vaccination simple and convenient, describing it as a key part of winter planning and a way to protect families and support the NHS during the colder months.

Early data continues to show strong protection from this year’s flu vaccine, even with the emergence of a new sub-strain. The UK Health Security Agency has also issued the season’s first Cold-Health Alert, reminding the public that cold weather can increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, especially for older adults and those with existing conditions ❄️.

Other winter vaccinations

  • COVID-19 vaccines for adults aged 75 and over, older adult care home residents and people who are immunosuppressed (4.3 million given so far).
  • RSV vaccines for pregnant women and older adults.
  • Pneumococcal vaccines for everyone aged 65 and over.

For full details, visit the NHS website and check the recommended vaccinations for this winter.