NHS begins free flu vaccinations for people experiencing homelessness

The NHS has begun offering free flu vaccinations to people sleeping rough or staying in homeless hostels and night shelters, in the first national programme specifically for people experiencing homelessness. The offer began this week as part of the autumn vaccination rollout, with NHS England planning pop-up clinics and mobile vans in areas where rough sleeping is concentrated. The programme is intended to make vaccination accessible to people who may face barriers to routine health care. NHS national director Amanda Doyle said people experiencing homelessness can register with a GP without proof of address, using the address of a day centre, hostel or GP practice. Vaccinations are also available through local arrangements, including pharmacies and GP practices, according to the programme information. NHS England said it would use outreach services to reach people where they are. The reports do not provide figures on how many people have received a vaccination, and the programme’s uptake and reach have not yet been established. The NHS has described the initiative as a way to offer protection against flu and other winter respiratory illness, but no outcome data are available.