Local MP Stephen McPartland visited one of the community pharmacies in Stevenage, Bedwell Pharmacy, to have his flu vaccination. The NHS Flu Vaccination Service provided by community pharmacists offers people a convenient location in which to be vaccinated, often on a walk-in basis.

Stephen McPartland MP commented, “This is an excellent service and so accessible, with no appointments required. It only takes a few minutes and many patients are loyal to their pharmacy, so everyone knows each other quite well, making it an easy experience. The scheme will help protect people from health complications through the winter months by making sure they have their flu jab.”

Neera Shah, local community pharmacist at Bedwell Pharmacy, Stevenage, said, “As a community pharmacist, I am really excited about this year’s Flu Vaccination Service. I have been offering vaccinations and other public health services for several years and my patients have been extremely positive about these. There is so much that community pharmacists and their teams can do to help people with their medicines and their health."

As part of the NHS Flu Vaccination Service, all adults aged 65 years and over, and those aged 18 years or over and in clinical risk groups, can receive a free of charge NHS flu jab at community pharmacies across Hertfordshire, often without the need for an appointment. People in at-risk groups include pregnant women and those with certain medical conditions including asthma and diabetes. Pharmacists will be administering the same flu jab as those offered by GPs, and patients’ GP practices will be notified that they have been vaccinated.

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