Today, the NHS in Dorset and the HealthBus Trust, successfully gave 28 flu and 23 COVID-19 vaccinations to people experiencing homelessness in Bournemouth.
The event, held at the YMCA between 10:00am -2:30pm, had many people taking advantage of the health services on offer, including health checks, diabetic screenings, and Hepatitis C advice, testing and treatment and Sexual Health advice.
This is part of the NHS and HealthBus Trust’s work to make sure everyone can get the healthcare they need.
With winter coming, getting both the flu and COVID-19 vaccine is important to help protect people against illness.
Holly Wentworth, lead vaccination nurse for Dorset HealthCare, said, “It was great to see so many people today getting their vaccinations. We want to make sure everyone stays safe and healthy, and we hope even more people will come to our next clinic tomorrow.”
As well as vaccinations, today’s clinic also provided free checks for other vital health concerns. The HealthBus, which has been at the heart of this outreach initiative, plays an instrumental role in giving healthcare directly to people across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and is a lifeline for many people who are experiencing homelessness.
Kate Hibbitt, Operations Director of HealthBus, said: “We are happy with how many people came today. It’s very important to make health services easy to get, and we want to keep helping homeless people stay well. We are looking forward to continuing these efforts to support the health and wellbeing of those who need it most.”
For those who are eligible, you can now book flu and COVID-19 vaccinations via your general practice surgery, on the NHS website, by downloading the NHS App, or by calling 119 for free.
There are also a number of COVID-19 walk-in clinics for the general public running across the county. For more information about these please visit www.staywelldorset.nhs.uk/vaccinations.
The HealthBus Trust, in partnership with NHS Dorset, remains dedicated to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has access to the care they need to stay healthy.
