People can get their free flu and Covid vaccines in Blackburn town centre.

Blackburn Bus Station is hosting pop-up clinics for vaccines this week offering free flu and Covid vaccinations for all eligible people. There is no need to book.

The remaining sessions are available on:

  • Friday, December 8 – 9am to 6pm
  • Saturday, December 9 – 10am to 2pm

All eligible patients can continue to receive their vaccination until the end of March 2024 via local routes, such as your GP practices, local pharmacy, and antenatal services if you are pregnant.

Blackburn with Darwen’s Director of Public Health, Abdul Razaq said: "We know Christmas and the festive season is a special time for friends, family and loved ones to gather together and have fun.

"Close prolonged contact in enclosed spaces also means that viruses have more chance to spread between individuals.

"Getting the flu or the Covid vaccine, or both, is by far the most effective way to help you and your loved ones stay as well as possible this Christmas and New Year.

"Don’t miss out if you need to book your jabs and schedule them in before the deadline of December 14.”

Lead nurse on the Lancashire and South Cumbria Covid-19 vaccination programme, Ashraf Karbhari said: "Christmas is always a time where family and friends get together to celebrate, but it’s also a time when Covid-19 and flu are more likely to be in circulation.

"With less than two weeks to go until online bookings close, we would recommend that anyone who is eligible should take up the offer of getting their vaccines.

"It is really quick and simple to book, and getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself, family and friends.”

If you want to use the online booking service for the vaccines though, there is just over a week left to this before it closes.

The NHS online booking system, NHS App and 119 phone service will be closed for flu and Covid-19 vaccine bookings from December 15, making December 14 the last day to make a booking.

You don’t have to get the flu and Covid jabs together, you can get the flu vaccine on its own, and the same for the Covid vaccine.

There are still a number of walk-in sites across Lancashire and South Cumbria that will continue to offer vaccinations until January 31, 2024, although there are currently no walk-ins in Blackburn with Darwen, there are walk-in clinics nearby.

Details of these are available at www.healthierlsc.co.uk/getmyjab.

Anyone looking for help or advice on how to get a Covid vaccination can continue to call the vaccination helpline on 0300 7906 856.