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Supermarkets set for flu vaccinations

From The Chingford Guardian

CHEAP flu jabs will be available for shoppers in Waltham Forest next weekend in a new supermarket initiative.

ASDA, which has stores in Leyton, Alexandra Road, and Wathamstow, Selborne Walk, will have trained nurses in all of its 256 stores on October 12.

They will be offering shoppers arriving at the store between 10am and 6pm information leaflets about the vaccination, which will be on sale at a cheap rate of under £12.

More than 35,000 flu jabs will be offered nationally.

People who want one can pay at the check-out with their shopping and move to a private area to complete a pre-vaccination questionnaire.

Customers who submit satisfactory questionnaires to the nurses will be able to get the flu jab immediately.

The flu virus affects one in four people during the winter.

Doctorcall, a mobile medical service that vaccinates thousands of people each year, will be working in partnership with ASDA to provide state registered nurses for the jabs.

Dr Charles Levinson, chairman of Doctorcall, said: "While flu kills 3,000 people from vulnerable groups including the elderly, babies and the chronically ill each year, most patients will suffer from a high fever for three to five days.

"Our vaccine reduces the incidence of flu by 80 per cent amongst potential cases and our experience shows that patients obtain maximum protection when the vaccine is given in October and November before the flu season really starts."

This is the first time any UK grocer has offered a medical service on such a scale.

If it is popular with customers ASDA will repeat the programme later in the year.

It has already provided free blood pressure testing in more than 80 stores with pharmacies.

David Miles, director of ASDA's speciality businesses, said: "Health care needs are playing a growing role in our customers' lives.

"Whether it be diagnostic testing, healthy food, or health and nutritional advice from an ASDA pharmacist, we're well placed to offer more services that meet those needs."

The annual flu immunisation is currently provided by the NHS free to people with health problems, those over 65 and people in long term residential care.

Customers who may prefer the convenience of a jab on demand will be notified by leaflet that they may also be eligible to get it free on the NHS.

11:42 Thursday 3rd October 2002
 

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ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.