Asda has announced it will deliver Covid-19 booster vaccinations using its network of in-store pharmacies. The move makes Asda the first supermarket to offer this.

The programme is expected to begin early this month.

The supermarket has operated three dedicated Covid vaccinations centres at stores in Birmingham, Watford and London since January and recently delivered its 100,000th jab from these sites.

These sites will continue to offer first and second vaccines as well as booster jabs.

72 in-store pharmacies, including some in County Durham, will be offering the booster jab, and Asda expect to administer more than 7500 jabs a week.

The service will begin in early October and continue through the winter months.

Individuals in priority groups will receive their appointment from the NHS and have the option to select a County Durham Asda store as a convenient location to receive their booster jab. They should not contact the store directly.

Asda is also offering its annual winter flu jab service in-store at the same time which costs £8.00 for people who are not eligible for a free NHS flu jab.

The County Durham Asda stores offering booster jabs

  • Darlington
  • Seaham
  • PeterLee
  • Stockton
  • Hartlepool

Faisal Tuddy, Asda Superintendent Pharmacist at Asda, said: “We are proud to have supported the NHS vaccination rollout throughout the year and will continue to do all we can to help vulnerable individuals top up their protection ahead of the winter months. Expanding the booster service to more than 70 Asda stores across the UK means that many more people will be able to receive their jabs in a convenient location at the heart of their community.”

The booster jab has recently approved for those more a risk.

People aged 50 years and over, health and social care workers and younger people at risk will be offered a booster dose.

The booster will help extend the protection gained from the first 2 doses and give longer term protection.

The booster will be offered 6 months after your last dose and should extend your protection for another year.