Coronavirus: Drive-through flu vaccination centres considered in bid to take pressure off NHS

<p>Health minister Edward Argar said the idea is "one of the things that we are looking at".</p><p>According to The Times, those eligible will be asked to get their vaccination in GPs' car parks as part of an effort to take pressure off the NHS this winter.</p><p>The centres will be modelled on the drive-through <a href="https://news.sky.com/topic/coronavirus-8483" target="_blank"><strong>coronavirus</strong></a> testing units, according to the newspaper, with surgeries set to be asked to deploy staff to the kerbside so people can get the jab without having to leave their vehicles.</p><p>Speaking to Kay Burley@Breakfast, Mr Argar said: "What we're keen to do here is make sure as many people as they can get that flu vaccination.</p><p>"It works, it's effective. It reduces the risk of people getting the flu and therefore becoming ill.</p><p>"Everything we can do to increase capacity in the NHS this winter and reduce the demand through things like the flu vaccine are important."</p><p>Mr Argar said the government wanted to "future-proof" the health system.</p><p>"The NHS coped incredibly well during COVID, in terms of always having the capacity to meet the needs of patients for treatment," he added.</p> <p>"We want to make sure that during the winter that excess capacity is also there to make sure that everyone who needs treatment in the emergency department can get it."</p><p>Boris Johnson <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/they-are-nuts-boris-johnson-hits-out-at-vaccine-opponents-12035200" target="_blank"><strong>announced an expansion</strong></a> of the winter flu vaccination programme last month.</p><p>There will be free vaccinations for those aged over 50 and 11-year-olds.</p><p>This is on top of at-risk groups such as people with asthma, heart disease and diabetes, and anyone living with somebody on the COVID-19 shielded list.</p><p>Mr Johnson said getting the jab is something that can help to "protect the NHS", adding he wants "everybody" to get the jab.</p>