Free NHS drive-through flu jab for Eastbourne residents

The service is the first of its kind in the UK, with the aim of increasing intake of the jab whilst minimising the exposure to Covid-19.

Asda pharmacy is offering the flu jab free-of-charge to anyone who is eligible such as elderly people, pregnant women, those with underlying health conditions, and also frontline health care workers.

This drive-through service comes in reaction to research by Asda pharmacy finding that 75 per cent of Brits are concerned about visiting their GP or pharmacy, and 28 per cent of UK adults are currently putting off getting a flu jab.

Flu jabs are more vital than ever this year to avoid confusion between flu and Covid, Asda pharmacy research also revealed that more than a third of respondents would be worried of people assuming they had Covid if they were seen to be coughing,

Lead pharmacist at Asda pharmacy Maq Din said, “The sad truth is that there is an increased mortality risk if you catch Covid-19 when you already have the flu.

“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!

“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 – 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.”

Asda pharmacy has made the process for obtaining a flu jab as straightforward as possible – patients need to visit https://storelocator.asda.com/, enter their postcode and book an appointment, either by phone or directly with the store.

Once booked, they simply need to pull up to a vaccination station bay at their appointed time.

Patients will remain in the vehicle whilst the vaccination is administered by a pharmacist through the vehicle’s window. Drivers will be injected into their right arm, whilst passengers will receive the jab in their left arm.

The pharmacist will also advise patients of potential side effects and they will be asked to wait for 5-10 minutes in a designated parking bay to ensure they feel comfortable to drive away.

Drivers will be asked to sound their car horns if they require any further attention.

Pharmacists will being wearing full PPE and patients will be asked to wear a face mask to ensure full safety throughout the procedure.

Non-vulnerable members of the public are still able to have their flu-jab administered in the pharmacy as normal for £8.

The drive-through will be available in the car park of Eastbourne Asda on Pevensey Bay Road.