COVID-19 booster jabs and flu vaccines are available to those eligible from a clinic at a Winchester Park & Ride site.

Despite cases of Covid-19 continuing to fall, the NHS and health experts are expecting a spike in both Covid-19 and flu this winter. The Department of Health has growing concerns that months of lockdown and social distancing have lowered immunity levels and hence made the public more vulnerable to flu and Covid-19.

To minimise the impact of both viruses, Pharmacy2U, the UK’s largest online pharmacy, is supporting the NHS in offering Covid-19 booster jabs and flu vaccines to those eligible from Monday, September 12 at its Winchester clinic, located at South Winchester Park & Ride, Hockley Link, Winchester, SO21 2FG.

The NHS will be inviting those most at risk first, but the following groups will be eligible for a free NHS autumn Covid-19 booster jab this season, as well as a free flu jab:

  • People aged 50 years and over
  • Carers aged 16-49 years old 
  • Anyone aged 5 years or older with a weakened immune system or existing health conditions that put them at risk, including pregnant women
  • People living with others who have weakened immune systems
  • Frontline health and social care workers, including care home staff

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The first wave of invitations for a Covid-19 vaccination are being sent to people aged 75 and over, people who are immunosuppressed, and health and care workers; with the remaining groups being invited in the following weeks.

The online pharmacy is instructing people to not book and appointment or visit a vaccination site until invited so the most vulnerable groups can their vaccinations first. The additional Covid-19 vaccine dose should be administered at least three months after the previous dose.

Phil Day, Pharmacy2U superintendent pharmacist, said: “Over the past few years, the Covid-19 vaccination roll-out has been a vitally important service for people across the country to ensure that the most vulnerable in our communities are protected. Whilst lockdowns have eased and life has mostly resumed, vaccinations play a key part in keeping people healthy, minimising disruptions and reducing the pressure on the NHS.

“The NHS has been working above and beyond expectation since the start of the pandemic, and it’s important that they get the support they need. We’ve been working hard to make sure we can offer these sites and help our existing and new patients, whilst alleviating pressure on the NHS.”

Pharmacy2U also recommends those eligible should have their flu vaccination at the same time, if eligible. Having COVID-19 and flu at the same time significantly increases the risk of hospitalisation and death and vaccination ahead of the winter months can protect against complications and the risk of serious illness, according to the online pharmacy.

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Having both vaccines together, usually in different arms, has been show through clinical trials that it doesn’t reduce the immune response to either vaccine if given simultaneously.

Mark Livingstone, CEO of Pharmacy2U, said: “We are incredibly proud at Pharmacy2U to continue to play our part in protecting the most vulnerable people, and supporting the incredible effort the NHS has put into the vaccination programme. Our sites allow people to have easy access to the vaccination and we feel privileged to be able to play a part in easing some of the huge pressures that the NHS is currently under.

“Our vaccination centres and healthcare professionals will be supporting pharmacists to give patients these vital vaccinations, providing an essential service to help prevent the spread of this terrible virus. We’re working closely with the national and regional NHS teams to maintain our vaccination sites for patients in areas that need them most.”

To see the Winchester clinic operating hours, visit pharmacy2u.co.uk. Letters or texts will be sent by the NHS when it is time to book, and booking should be done via the NHS website.

People, over the age of five, who haven’t already had their first and second doses of the Covid-19 vaccination as well as their first booster jab will also be able to get these at clinic.

Pharmacy2U has been operating Covid-19 vaccination sites across England since January 2021 and has so far vaccinated over 1,000,000 people against the virus.

All vaccinations will be administered by a qualified healthcare professional. Those under the age of 18 are asked to attend their appointment with a parent or guardian.