Additional NHS Walk-In Flu Vaccination Clinics Available Across Cornwall

People across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are being urged to come forward for their free NHS flu vaccination, with additional walk-in clinics now available following a rise in flu and other respiratory infections.

Extra drop-in clinics are running for those eligible to receive the free NHS flu jab and or the seasonal COVID-19 booster. The list of clinics is being updated regularly on the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB website.

Health leaders are encouraging eligible residents to get vaccinated ahead of Christmas, a time when people tend to spend more time indoors and socialise more, making it easier for viruses to spread.

Vaccinations still available this winter

A wide-ranging vaccination programme has been running across Cornwall since early autumn, with most GP surgeries completing their flu vaccination sessions by the end of November.

Local pharmacies have also been offering vaccinations, with many continuing throughout the winter. Some pharmacies offer walk-in appointments, while others require bookings made online.

RSV vaccination also encouraged

Pregnant women, people aged 75 to 79, and those who turned 80 after 1st September 2024 are also being encouraged to take up the RSV vaccination.

RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, can cause serious illness in young babies and older adults. When the vaccine is taken during pregnancy, protection is passed to babies through the placenta.

Who can get a free NHS flu vaccination?

The free NHS flu vaccine is available to:

• Pregnant women

• People aged 65 and over

• Those in clinical risk groups, including asthma, COPD, kidney, heart and liver disease

• People living in long-stay residential care homes

• Carers receiving carer’s allowance or caring for an elderly or disabled person

• Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals

• Frontline health and care workers

• School-aged children

• Children aged 2 and 3

Who is eligible for the COVID-19 seasonal booster?

The COVID-19 booster is available to:

• People aged 75 and over

• People who are immunosuppressed

• People living in long-stay residential care homes

Pain-free protection for children

Children are more likely to pick up and pass on flu, often spreading it to grandparents and other vulnerable family members. That is why vaccinating school-aged children and those aged 2 and 3 is seen as particularly important.

The flu vaccine for children is given as a quick and pain-free nasal spray rather than an injection.

The school-aged children immunisation programme is still underway, with catch-up clinics running throughout December and January for those who missed their school visit or were unwell. Parents and guardians of home-educated children can also access these clinics.

For more information, parents and guardians can contact the School Immunisation Service on 01872 221105.

Parents and carers of 2 and 3-year-olds are advised to book a flu vaccination via the NHS website or contact their GP surgery.

Call to come forward before Christmas

Iain Davidson, Chief Pharmacist at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, said:
“Every year, I see how much illness and suffering the flu causes, and how much of it is preventable. The vaccines we’re offering are safe and well-established. They are given to millions of people each year safely, and they’re one of the simplest things you can do to protect yourself and the people you love this winter.”

Walk-in NHS flu and COVID-19 clinics next week

The following walk-in clinics will be offering free flu and COVID-19 vaccinations to those eligible:

Monday 15th December
9:30am to 4:30pm
Helston Health Centre, Trengrouse Way, TR13 8AG

9:30am to 1pm
John Betjeman Centre, Room 4, Southern Way, Wadebridge, PL27 7BX

8:30am to 12pm
Helston Community Hospital, Meneage Road, TR13 8DR

Tuesday 16th December
9:30am to 4:30pm
Helston Health Centre, Trengrouse Way, TR13 8AG

8:30am to 5pm
Outpatients, Newquay Community Hospital, St Thomas Road, TR7 1RQ

1pm to 6pm
Outpatients Main Building, Falmouth Community Hospital, Trescobeas Road, TR11 2JA

8:30am to 5pm
Outpatients Room 12, Camborne Redruth Community Hospital, Barncoose Terrace, TR15 3ER

Wednesday 17th December
8:30am to 5pm
Outpatients, Bodmin Community Hospital, Boundary Road, PL31 2QT

9am to 5pm
Outpatients Room 3, Launceston Community Hospital, Link Road, PL15 9JD

Thursday 18th December
9am to 4pm
Shire House, Mount Folly Square, Bodmin, PL31 2DQ

8:30am to 5pm
Outpatients, St Austell Community Hospital, Porthpean Road, PL26 6AA

9am to 5pm
Outpatients Room 7, Liskeard Community Hospital, Clemo Road, PL14 3XD

More clinic locations and dates will be published over the coming weeks. Anyone unable to attend the listed sessions is advised to check the NHS website, contact their local pharmacy, or speak to their GP surgery about winter vaccinations.