Former world champion boxer Tony Bellew has teamed up with Asda Pharmacy to encourage people to prioritise their flu vaccination through a “The jab you don't want to dodge” campaign.
The initiative aims to address delays in vaccination, using Bellew’s boxing background to highlight why flu jabs should not be put off.
Tony Bellew is a former professional boxer from Liverpool who is now a well-known mental health campaigner, broadcaster and actor.
The campaign follows a survey commissioned by Asda Pharmacy, which found that 94% of UK adults have put off looking after their health.
The survey of 2,000 adults also found that almost half (48%) of those who book or intend to get a flu vaccination have previously delayed getting one. Among the reasons cited were being too busy (25%), deferring until later (27%) and forgetting (17%).
The campaign also has a personal connection for the boxer, whose aunt works at an Asda Pharmacy in Liverpool.
The findings highlight a gap between people’s intentions and their actions, with 71% of the respondents agreeing that it is better to protect themselves against flu before people around them fall ill. However, 60% said that knowing someone who had contracted flu would make them more likely to consider vaccination.
As immunity takes around two weeks to develop following vaccination, timely uptake remains important, particularly for those at greater risk of complications, patients are being told.
Bellew, who won a WBC cruiserweight world title in his home city during his 11-year career, said: “When it comes to your flu jab, that’s one you shouldn’t be dodging”. He also encouraged those eligible for a free NHS flu vaccination to take up the offer rather than wait until the flu begins affecting those around them.
Asda Pharmacy says it offers NHS and Private flu vaccinations at over 200 locations.
