To keep Dorset healthy this winter, an ad van will be travelling across the county raising awareness about walk in vaccination clinics offering vital winter vaccinations for flu and COVID-19.

These walk in clinics are delivering flu and COVID-19 vaccinations for eligible adults, and the COVID-19 vaccination for children over the age of 5 who are eligible, with no appointments needed.

The ad van, which will be seen in key locations, is part of an initiative by NHS Dorset to reach people where they live, work, and shop. This accessible option featuring eight different languages including Polish, Portuguese and Ukrainian aims to make it easier for those eligible to protect themselves and others from serious winter viruses like flu and COVID-19.

The walk in clinics this week are:

  • Wareham Community Hospital

Monday 11 November and Wednesday 13 November

9:00am – 4:30pm

  • Weymouth Linden Unit, Westhaven Hospital

Tuesday 12 November

9:00am – 4:30pm

  • Bournemouth King’s Park Community Hospital

Thursday 14 November

9:00am – 4:30pm

  • Poole Dolphin Centre, Access Wellbeing Hub (upstairs opposite Wilko’s)

Thursday 14 November

9:30am – 12:30pm

Clinics will run for the rest of November and a full list of dates and locations can be found at Walk in clinics for your winter vaccinations – no appointment needed – Stay Well Dorset.

Paul Bolton, Clinical Services Manager for NHS Dorset HealthCare said,

“The walk in clinics are helping to ensure that everyone who needs a vaccination has access.

“We strongly encourage all people who have been invited by the NHS for the flu and / or COVID-19 vaccination to have them to help them stay well this winter and avoid serious illness.

“Visiting a walk in clinic is a quick way to have both vaccinations, if appropriate, without having to make an appointment beforehand.

“For people like frontline health and social care workers who are extremely busy, these clinics are a way of making sure they are protected and helping to protect the vulnerable people they work with.

“If you are not sure if you have been invited for the vaccinations, chat with the team at the clinic who will be happy to help.”

People who can have the flu and COVID-19 vaccinations include:

  • those aged 65 and over (including those due to turn 65 on or before 31 March 2025)
  • children and adults with underlying health conditions who have received an invite from the NHS for a vaccination
  • pregnant women
  • frontline health and social care workers
  • Unpaid carers (flu vaccinations only)

This vaccination drive is particularly important as Dorset faces the ongoing challenge of winter viruses making people extremely ill and local health services being busy.

For detailed information about who can have each vaccination and how to find other convenient clinic locations, please visit the Stay Well Dorset website at https://staywelldorset.nhs.uk/vaccinations/

By staying on track with their vaccinations, people are playing a vital role in reducing the spread of winter illnesses and protecting their community.

Help to keep Dorset safe and well this winter—watch for the ad van in your area and help spread the word.