England could see drive-thru flu vaccination centres

It comes after major expansion of eligibility criteria

Drive-thru flu jabs are reportedly planned in a bid to get people vaccinated without having to mix with others.

The plan echoes the drive-thru coronavirus testing stations, which were set up in the UK during the pandemic.

Now, similar centres could pop up for people to get their flu jabs as part of NHS England plans, according to The Times.

The newspaper reported GP’s car parks could be used as sites.

The Department of Health has been approached for comment by The Independent.

The government has already announced an expansion of England’s flu vaccination programme, amid fears a seasonal flu crisis could hit at the same time as a second wave of coronavirus.

Adults aged 50 or over will be able to get a free flu jab this year, and more children will also qualify.

The government is aiming to double its winter flu vaccination programme, which could lead to up to 30 million people getting a job.

At the moment, the free NHS flu programme is for people aged 65 and over, pregnant women, people with certain conditions such as kidney disease, asthma or heart disease, and carers or those in care homes.

Frontline health and social care workers are also eligible to receive the vaccine. The flu jab is also free for children over six months with a long-term health condition, those aged two and three and those in primary school.

The programme will now be extended to include children who are aged 11 by the end of August this year — the first year of secondary school — and anyone aged 50 and over, who will be vaccinated later in the year.

Anyone living in a household with somebody on the NHS shielded patient list for Covid-19 will also be eligible.

Last month, Boris Johnson, the UK prime minister, appealed for people to get a winter flu jab as it could help to take pressure off the NHS.

Additional reporting by Press Association