Asda launches ‘UK’s first ever’ flu jab drive-through service

Asda has launched a drive-through flu jab service, which is available for free for anyone who is eligible for a free flu jab this winter.

The drive-through flu jab service, which the supermarket says is the “first ever” in the UK, has been made available at 13 Asda car parks across the nation.

The aim of the initiative, which launches on Thursday 8 October, is to ensure that those who are most vulnerable to Covid-19 – and therefore also most likely to be in need of a flu jab – are able to have their vaccinations while avoiding close contact with other people.

Those who fall into the category of being eligible for a free NHS flu jab include people who are elderly, pregnant women, individuals with underlying health conditions and frontline healthcare workers, including those who work in care homes, nursing homes and home carers.

Maq Din, lead pharmacist at Asda Pharmacy, stressed that having a flu jab is “more vital now than ever”.

“The sad truth is that there is an increased mortality risk if you catch Covid-19 when you already have the flu,” Mr Din said.

“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!”

Mr Din added that the supermarket is implementing “a number of measures” at its flu jab drive-throughs “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”.

“Contact time will be kept to a minimum in order to allow pharmacists to be as efficient as possible,” he said.

In order to have a flu jab through the drive-through service, people need to first visit storelocator.asda.com to find the nearest Asda store that offers the service.

Once on the website, they can find their nearest centre by entering their postcode and then booking an appointment either directly with the store or over the phone.

When a patient arrives at the centre for their pre-booked appointment, the flu jab will be administered by a pharmacist through their vehicle’s window, where it will be injected into the right arm of drivers and the left arm of passengers.

After the flu jab has been administered, they will be asked by the pharmacist to wait for around five to 10 minutes in a designated parking bay so that they can make sure they feel ok before they drive off.

The pharmacist will also warn patients about potential side effects they may experience after having the flu jab.

If after their flu jab they feel they need further attention from the pharmacist, patients will be advised to honk their car horns.

The pharmacists will be wearing full PPE throughout the procedure, while patients will be asked to wear a face mask.

People who do not fall into the category of being eligible for a free NHS flu jab will be able to have theirs for £8 at the Asda pharmacy.

Here is the full list of Asda locations where customers can use the flu jab drive-through service:

According to research conducted by Asda Pharmacy, more than a quarter of adults in the UK say they are putting off having a flu jab as they feel worried about coming across people with coronavirus at pharmacies and GP surgeries.

Of the 2,000 adults polled by Research Without Barriers, 75 per cent of the respondents said they felt concerned about entering pharmacies or GP surgeries.

Furthermore, 40 per cent expressed the belief that it will be more difficult to be treated for the flu this winter amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.