With winter fast approaching, NHS Greater Manchester is going above and beyond to make sure everyone eligible for a COVID-19 or flu vaccine can access one whatever their circumstances.
For some people, their circumstances mean that visiting a GP or pharmacy isn’t an option – due to irregular work shifts, jobs without paid leave, experiencing homelessness or are housebound. That’s why NHS teams are putting extra measures in place to bring vaccines directly to the people who need them the most.
People experiencing homelessness are much more likely to suffer from chronic health conditions, increasing their risk of serious illness in winter.
To reach these groups, extra vaccine clinics have been set up across the city-region. Here in Stockport, The Wellspring on Harvey Street, hosts walk-in clinics on Mondays for flu vaccines and other essential health support, with further outreach delivered at local hostels.
Staff at these centres often take time to sit with people over a hot drink, giving them space to talk through any concerns choosing to have their vaccine. For some, this is the first time in years they have felt able to speak openly with a healthcare professional.
Additional drop-in clinics have also been set up at community hubs to make it easier to fit vaccinations around busy lives.
Alongside our outreach clinics, we work with partners running the A Bed Every Night (ABEN) programme. ABEN offers safe, mostly self-contained accommodation for people experiencing homelessness. Having a stable place to stay makes it easier for residents to get the support they need, including registering with a GP and getting their flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
We’re also making sure that migrants, refugees and people seeking asylum can easily get their winter vaccines. Some people may be new to the NHS or face language barriers, so practices and community teams are providing translated information, outreach clinics and staff who already speak a range of languages. Making vaccination accessible helps keep all our communities well throughout winter.
Many people who are housebound cannot travel to a GP or pharmacy, and they are often more vulnerable to serious illness from flu and COVID-19 due to existing health conditions. They can also be at risk of catching illnesses from visitors, including support workers or family members, which makes delivering vaccines directly to their homes even more important. Housebound individuals will be contacted to arrange a home visit, with support workers or carers often present to help make the process feel safe, comfortable, and reassuring.
Dr Helen Wall, Clinical Director for Population Health at NHS Greater Manchester: “We always encourage everyone who’s eligible to get their winter vaccinations to help keep people well and prevent serious illness. But we recognise that for some people, their circumstances make it difficult to simply book an appointment.
“That includes people experiencing homelessness, who often face the biggest barriers to healthcare and are at greater risk of becoming seriously unwell.”
“That’s why we’ve set up extra drop-in clinics and arranged home visits for those who can’t leave their house or book appointments - because everyone has the right to be protected against these viruses.
“The vaccine is still very much our best defence against flu and COVID-19. Protection fades and the viruses change each year, so it’s vital that everyone eligible gets their vaccines each winter.”
The flu and COVID-19 vaccinations delivered this winter are part of the wider vaccination programme. People are encouraged to check with their GP practice or on the NHS App to ensure they are up to date with all vaccinations they are eligible for.
Residents in Greater Manchester who are housebound will be contacted by providers of the housebound appointments to arrange a time and date. If anyone is concerned they have not been contacted, they can call NHS Greater Manchester’s Care Gateway team who organise the housebound appointments, on 0161 947 0770 or 0800 092 4020.
Information about winter vaccines, including eligibility and clinic locations, is available on the NHS Greater Manchester website: https://gmintegratedcare.org.uk/winter-vaccinations/
Those eligible for a flu vaccine this year include:
- pregnant women
- all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31st August 2025
- primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6)
- secondary school aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11)
- those aged 65 years and over
- people with certain long-term health conditions e.g. respiratory diseases and chronic kidney and liver disease
- residents in a care home
- carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
- close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
- frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer-led occupational health scheme, including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and those that are employed by those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets, such as Personal Assistants.
Those eligible for COVID-19 vaccine this year include:
- residents in a care home for older adults
- those aged 75 years and over
- persons aged 6 months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment