NHS winter jab drive gets under way across London

More than 1,700 community venues across London have begun hosting vaccination clinics as part of the NHS's Big Week to help eligible Londoners get their jabs ahead of winter.

The big push comes as the UK Health Security Agency warns there are at least two different strains of flu circulating in the UK this year which can make some people seriously ill.

The free NHS vaccines being offered will help protect against viruses including flu, Covid-19 and pneumonia and will be administered as a walk-in service to eligible people until 16 November.

The scheme also aims to protect those who face barriers to routine services, such as those experiencing homelessness or living in deprived communities.

On Monday Londoners in Wood Green queued up at a shopping centre to get their flu jabs.

Clinical operational vaccination lead for Whittington Health NHS Trust Kevin Gilbride, said he was "enthused" by the turnout, and the "positive conversations" he had had about vaccines.

"This is a uniquely placed centre in the heart of the community across Wood Green and serving people that historically has had reasonably low uptake of flu vaccine in the past," added Gilbride.

"We know that vaccination saves lives and keeps you healthy and strong going into the winter and can help avoid unnecessary admission to hospital."

As part of Big Week, a vaccination bus, which visited Kingswood Estate and Bexleyheath shopping centre last year, will be at locations including Camberwell town centre, Deptford Market, Bromley Football Club and Catford Broadway.

Flu vaccines are updated annually to ensure they are a good match for the type of flu affecting people.

Influenza viruses constantly mutate and experts have to predict their adaptations ahead of time.

But this year Gilbride is keen to emphasis another vaccine.

"The change this year is we're making a concerted effort to also offer another very good vaccine - the pneumococcal vaccine - which protects [people] from pneumonia which they're absolutely exposed to when they're living on the streets or experiencing homelessness."

Pneumonia can cause illnesses including bronchitis, ear and sinus infections. It can also cause serious illnesses, such as meningitis.

The NHS says most people only need one pneumococcal vaccine to give them long lasting protection, and advise having the vaccination by the end of November as viruses circulate more in colder weather.

• People aged 65 or over, including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2027
• People aged 18 to 64 with certain long-term health conditions
• Pregnant women
• Living in a care home
• Main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer's allowance
• Live with someone who has a weakened immune system
• Are experiencing homelessness or staying in a homeless hostel or night shelter
• Front-line health and social care workers.

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