Health

Grab a flu jab alongside your bread and milk – Tesco to offer free vaccination to over-65s


Tesco has offered over-65s and other eligible groups vaccinations at its in-store pharmacies from Monday.

Customers over 12 who are not eligible for a free inoculation can get a private one for £13.

The supermarket giant wants to encourage more people to have the vaccine as the winter flu season approaches.

Bosses believe it will be more convenient for customers to combine getting a shot with shopping for groceries.

It pointed out that its stores have longer opening hours than many GP surgeries and high-street pharmacies, while people can also get their jabs during evenings and weekends.

Tesco’s superintendent pharmacist, Adrian Price, said: “We want to make getting your jab as easy as doing the weekly shop.

“More than ever, it will be important to keep your family safe and well from flu.”

The offer comes as figures show just 35% of pregnant women and 49% of those in a clinical risk group were vaccinated last year.

Flu can be deadly for people with pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes or heart disease.

Research over seven years has linked having the jab to 50% fewer deaths among people with type 2 diabetes during the flu season.

Being vaccinated also slashes the risk of a heart attack by 27% and of dying by 25%.

There were around 6,000 UK excess deaths from heart and circulatory diseases in the winter of 2019/20, with flu likely to be a contributing factor, research showed.

To help more people get vaccinated at stores, Tesco Pharmacy has set up an online jab booking system.

Readers Also Like:  Full report linking Covid's origins to raccoon dogs in wet market is revealed



READ SOURCE

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.