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Boots UK NHS flu vaccinations reopen

16 December 2020
Feature Healthcare

Now including free NHS Flu Vaccinations for those aged between 50 – 64

Offering accessibility and convenience, Boots UK has worked with the Department of Health and Social Care, to secure more stock of the flu vaccination.

With a priority to ensure the most vulnerable receive their flu jab, the Boots online booking system has reopened for customers deemed at high risk by the NHS aged 18 – 64* now also including everyone aged 50 - 64 in England and Wales. All appointment bookings for the free NHS flu vaccinations are being taken here.

This comes as Boots UK has administered more flu vaccinations than ever before, completing over one million vaccinations this season with the help of over 5,000 trained Boots pharmacists and technicians across the UK.

The cold weather continues to mark flu season in the UK, this year more than ever, it’s important that you are taking proactive steps to help you and your family stay well through the winter months. COVID-19, cold and flu symptoms can appear quite similar, so Boots is sharing its simple symptom checker which shows the most commonly associated symptoms**, along with advice from Boots UK Pharmacist, Janky Raja on what you can do to help prevent and protect yourself.

 

Janky says: “As COVID-19 continues to be present in the UK, it is more important than ever for those at risk to consider getting their flu vaccination this year. Although the flu vaccination does not protect against COVID-19 in any way, both the COVID-19 virus and the flu virus can have an impact on the respiratory system so if you can help protect yourself against the flu, it can be a huge benefit to your overall health including your immune system.”

New safety measures and processes have been introduced at Boots this year to ensure the experience for customers and colleagues is as safe as possible. Prior to the appointment, customers will be asked to read key information online and where possible, attend their appointment on their own to avoid overcrowding. Customers will also be asked to adhere to social distancing measures in waiting areas, sanitise their hands and wear a face mask or covering during their appointment. It is also advised that customers bring their own pen to complete any essential paperwork and they will be asked not to speak to the pharmacist during the actual vaccination. If the consultation room is small, it’s possible the pharmacist will ask to keep the door open during the appointment.

To find out more about the pharmacy services available at Boots now, visit: https://www.boots.com/health-pharmacy-advice

Boots has worked closely with the NHS and Government throughout the pandemic. It has support national COVID-19 testing since March 2020, completing more than 2 million tests across the UK, has donated over 500,000 doses of lifesaving medicine, Dexamethasone to the NHS, and Boots pharmacists continue to support the NHS 111 service, offering medicines support and advice over the phone.

 

*At risk groups include those who are pregnant, have diabetes, are asthmatic or have a long-term health condition as well as certain carers. The NHS Flu Jab Service is available in most Boots pharmacies in England and Wales and in selected pharmacies in Scotland. Subject to availability and eligibility criteria applies. See Boots.com/flu for more information. As stock is limited, appointments will be available strictly on a first come first serve basis.

**If you think you have COVID-19 – please follow the latest Government guidance.

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Boots is the UK’s leading health and beauty retailer with over 52,000 team members and 2,100 stores, ranging from local community pharmacies to large destination health and beauty stores.*

Boots serves its customers and patients for life as the leading provider of healthcare on the high street and the UK’s number one beauty destination. It offers an unrivalled depth and breadth of products, which incorporates its extensive own brand range and innovative portfolio of brands, including No7, the UK’s No1 skincare brand, Soap & Glory, Liz Earle Beauty and Sleek MakeUP.

2024 marks Boots’ 175th anniversary year. Founder John Boot opened a herbalist store in Nottingham in 1849 to offer an affordable alternative to traditional medicines. His son Jesse expanded the business to become a modern retailer and the biggest chemist in Britain. Throughout its history, Boots has listened, learned and innovated, and it continues to challenge itself to improve its products and services every day.

Boots is part of Walgreens Boots Alliance, which is a global leader in pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing retail.  More company information is available on boots-uk.com.

*Figures accurate as of 30 November 2023