The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7218 p470
5 October 2002

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Doctorcall (www.doctorcall.co.uk)

ASDA to sell 'flu vaccinations in stores nation-wide

The ASDA supermarket chain is to sell influenza vaccinations to customers on request at all its 256 stores on October 12.

Dr Omar Shakoor, from ASDA's pharmacy superintendent's office, said that customers will be given leaflets explaining 'flu, the benefits of vaccination and the "at-risk" groups who are eligible for free vaccination from the National Health Service. Patients who want to pay to be vaccinated will be treated by nurses from Doctorcall (www.doctorcall.co.uk), a health care company.

Dr Shakoor said that ASDA's contract with Doctorcall provided for Doctorcall to take full liability for the scheme. "We have been given assurances that everything is legal and safe," Dr Shakoor said. He added that the nurses administering the vaccinations will be trained to deal with any untoward effects and will have the medicines and equipment necessary to deal with any instances of anaphylaxis. Customers will pay for the vaccinations, costing £11.97, at the tills when they pay for their shopping.

Dr Charles Levinson, Doctorcall's medical director, explained that ASDA was not so much selling vaccinations, as selling a vaccination service. Similarly, Doctorcall was not selling or dispensing vaccine, it was selling a medical service. His company's doctors have set up protocols for nurses to administer 'flu vaccine under medical supervision. These do not require a doctor to be present, but a doctor will be responsible for each site and can be contacted if any queries or problems arise.