SIXTEEN pharmacies across the borough are offering free NHS flu jabs so people can get vaccinated.

This winter, chemists in Bury will provide the service to make it more convenient for 18 to 64-year-olds who are at risk from flu to receive the injection.

The Greater Manchester-wide project is designed to give more flexibility and provide flu jabs outside of standard GP opening hours.

Rob Bellingham, Director of Commissioning for NHS England GM Area Team, said: “It is important that people in this at-risk group get a flu jab.

“One pharmacy in three will be doing NHS flu jabs as part of the follow-up flu programme in Greater Manchester, so there’s a good chance your local pharmacy will be one of them.”

People with liver, lung, kidney and heart problems, diabetes and conditions such as asthma and other respiratory problems are at serious risk of developing complications if they catch the flu virus.

Anyone who has an underlying health condition or weakened immune system who catches the flu virus is at more risk of pneumonia, muscle inflammation, central nervous system disease and heart attacks.

Carers can also be vaccinated at a pharmacy to help protect the person they care for.

Peter Marks, chairman of Community Pharmacy Greater Manchester, said: “We strongly encourage all vulnerable patients to get their flu jab at their GP’s surgery.”

The pharmacies participating are:

  • Boots, Fishpool Pharmacy, Huntley Mount Pharmacy, Imman Pharmacy, Rowlands Pharmacy, Stachans Pharmacy and Manor Pharmacy in Bury. 
  • Newbridge Health Care in Greenmount and Cohens Chemist in Tottington. 
  • Boots, The Co-operative Pharmacy, Church Street Pharmacy and Cross Lane Pharmacy in Radcliffe. 
  • Dennis Gore Pharmacy, Sedgley Park Pharmacy and Formans Chemist in Prestwich.