Asda Pharmacy has announced that they are offering free private flu vaccinations on 14 September for the 6,000 appointments available across its outlets on that day.
Those who book appointments through the Asda online booking system on that date will be get a jab free of cost. It will be available at 242 Asda Pharmacies on a first-come, first-served basis.
While many people are eligible for a free NHS flu vaccination from the 1 October, millions of adults fall outside the eligibility criteria and have to pay for the service.
The NHS vaccine is only free for people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from the flu, including adults aged 65 and over, pregnant women, and individuals with certain long-term health conditions.
Asda also said its teams will guide those people who are unsure if they are eligible for a free NHS flu jab at their stores.
Last December, the NHS faced a heavy workload as an average of 2,660 patients occupied hospital beds each day. It was the highest level ever recorded for that point in the season.
Asda Pharmacy’s Health Care Services Manager Richard Harrison, said: "Our free flu jab service is about removing barriers and making it easier than ever for people to protect themselves and those around them. We're proud to be able to help people access flu vaccinations more easily, giving them one less thing to worry about as we head into the colder months.
"We're expecting strong demand, so we'd encourage anyone interested to book their appointment now. By offering up to 6,000 free vaccinations in a single day, we're helping more people access convenient healthcare in their local community."
