September 8, 2023
(press release)
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From Monday 11th September, Tesco pharmacies will begin offering a free NHS flu jab to over 65s, and other groups who are eligible. For those not eligible for a free NHS Flu Jab, Tesco is offering a £13 Private Flu Jab Service to customers aged 12 years and over. Last year, only 35% of pregnant women and 49% of those in a clinical risk group were vaccinated[i]. By offering the greatest possible number of slots, Tesco’s pharmacists hope to encourage more of those who would benefit from a free vaccination to get the flu jab. For people with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or heart disease, flu can be deadly. The flu jab was associated with a 50% reduction in mortality during flu season for people living with type 2 diabetes, according to research carried out over a seven-year period.[ii] ___________________________________
To help more people access the vaccination, Tesco Pharmacy is operating an online booking system at tesco.com/flujab so customers can book a slot at a time that suits them.
With longer opening hours than many GP surgeries and high-street pharmacies, customers can get vaccinated at a time that fits around their schedule including evenings and weekends, or even combine it with their weekly shop.
The flu jab will be given by a Tesco pharmacist in a private consultation room.
Adrian Price, Tesco Superintendent Pharmacist 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. You will reduce the risk of catching flu and passing it on to older or more vulnerable family members.”
For people with heart and circulatory diseases, having the flu vaccine cuts the risk of a heart attack by 27% and of dying by 25%.[iii] Data shows that in the winter of 2019/20, there were around 6,600 excess deaths from heart and circulatory diseases in the UK, with flu likely to be a contributing factor.[iv]
Last year Tesco launched its ‘Let’s Talk’ service that saw its pharmacists and pharmacy team members trained by Cancer Research UK, British Heart Foundation and Diabetes UK. In addition to providing regular Pharmacy services, the Tesco Pharmacy team are now uniquely able to provide specialist information and support for customers to help lower the risk of cancer, heart and circulatory diseases, and type 2 diabetes.
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Notes to editors
[i] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-flu-immunisation-programme-plan/appendix-1-influenza-vaccine-uptake
[ii] Effectiveness of the influenza vaccine in preventing admission to hospital and death in people with type 2 diabetes (cmaj.ca)
[iii] Effects of Influenza Vaccine on Mortality and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis, Journal of the American Heart Association. Available at: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.120.019636
[iv] BHF analysis of UK mortality data provided by ONS, NRS and NISRA
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