Kettering GP surgery launches drive-thru flu jab clinic

Patients at a Kettering GP surgery are now able to have a flu jab without leaving the comfort of their car after the launch of a drive-thru clinic.

Weavers Medical and the town's Morrisons have joined forces to set up the service on the ground floor of the supermarket's Lower Street car park.

It launched earlier this month and will run until the end of October - making social distancing as easy as possible and easing any concerns patients who would normally have to go in for their vaccination may have.

Practice manager Jo Barker said: "This year’s flu jab is more important than ever, so we didn’t want social distancing concerns to keep patients away.

"We’ve designed a service to enable them to receive the flu jab from the comfort and safety of their own vehicles.’

"As well as keeping themselves and their families safer they will also reduce pressure on hospitals and GPs.

"The last thing Kettering General Hospital needs this winter is a needless and avoidable rise in flu admissions at a time when it might be experiencing a surge of Covid-19 cases."

Every year Weavers Medical sets out to vaccinate all of its over-65 year old patients, as well all those with long-term medical conditions. The surgery believes the solution will ensure maximum take-up from eligible patients.

Practice GP Dr Raf Poggi said the drive-thru idea is rare in the UK.

She said: "Drive-thru vaccinations are common in the USA and Australia but haven’t been used very often in the UK - until now.

"We have worked hard to ensure we have good signage, coned off areas and safe working conditions for staff and the system is already running smoothly.”

Patients eligible to attend will receive a text invite and book an appointment using their website or phone line. After arriving at the ground floor they will then receive the jab in their vehicle from a nurse dressed in PPE and leave the site.

Those without vehicles can also attend the clinic on foot and have the jab.

Weavers patient Peter Read said: "I have to admit that at 80-years-old and with an underlying heart condition, I’m delighted to have been able to receive my flu jab in a socially distanced outdoor environment.

"Most of us will - by now - be used to click and collect shopping and this really was as convenient and Covid-safe as that."

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