Londoners can get their flu jab at a shopping centre, a place of worship or even at a football match as the NHS kicks off its Big Week of Vaccinations to protect the capital before winter takes hold.
All aboard: NHS London’s jab bus is on a tour of south-east London
The latest bout of flu is already sweeping through the capital’s communities, leaving older and vulnerable Londoners at risk of what can be a very debilitating illness. Flu is not “just a bad cold”, but a serious respiratory infection caused by viruses that can lead to pneumonia, respiratory failure and hospitalisation. The very young, older people, pregnant women and those with long-term medical conditions are at particular risk.
Mobile vaccination buses are touring London, and same-day, walk-in jabs are available at around 1,700 sites. It is always worthwhile checking ahead, though: the pharmacy at one store in the Whitgift Centre in Croydon had run out of stock of the vaccination at the weekend.
There are 2.1million vaccination slots available through the NHS App or by calling 119.
Dr Chris Streather, NHS London’s medical director, said: “Flu can make anyone seriously ill, and every winter it puts real pressure on our hospitals. Last winter, more than 300 hospital beds a day in London were filled by people with flu.
“The easiest way to protect yourself and your family is to get your jab now, before winter sets in. If you’re eligible, please don’t wait.”
As part of the drive to get as many people vaccinated as possible, on-site pharmacy teams will offer flu jabs at football matches, including at Arsenal and Fulham.
The vaccination bus’s route this week will take in stops at Camberwell, Deptford Market and Bromley Football Club, as well as Guy’s Hospital, Princess Royal University Hospital, Catford Broadway and Welling Football Club throughout the rest of the month.
Children are among those most at risk of flu. More than 6,000 under-fives in England were hospitalised with flu in 2022-2023. The South London Children and Young People’s Community Immunisations Service, part of Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, is extending the drop-in clinics that ran over half-term.
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