Asda is offering the Meningitis B vaccination for cost price in all pharmacies, until April 30, 2026.
The vaccine is being offered at £75 a dose, or £150 for two which is a full course. Two doses are usually priced at £179.96.
According to Asda, the vaccine is available in “all 242 Asda Pharmacies across the UK, on a first come, first serve basis”.
Read more: Pharmacy sector calls for meningitis jabs after outbreak
It also said that the vaccine would be prioritised for ”vulnerable groups, with a particular emphasis on 18-25 year olds”.
Customers have been advised to “book ahead before arriving in store”, either through the website or by calling the store ahead of time.
The supermarket said that its decision to offer the vaccine at a lower price, “reflects its commitment to helping communities take preventative action without added financial pressure.”
“Easy and affordable”
“We understand that many families are increasingly worried about the Meningitis B outbreak and as a community-focused retailer, we want to do all we can to help,” said Asda’s head of pharmacy and superintendent pharmacist, Faisal Tuddy.
“By offering this vaccine at cost price, we’re making it as easy and affordable as possible for people who can’t access it through the NHS,” he added.
Read more: Almost half of autumn Covid jabs given by pharmacies, says DH
It comes after the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) warned that pharmacies were facing an “unprecedented” demand for Meningitis B vaccinations after the recent outbreak in Kent.
An NPA snap survey showed there had been “considerable rises in requests from worried parents for meningitis vaccinations, far exceeding supply available from wholesalers”.
In response to this, yesterday the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) announced that 20,000 jabs from NHS supply “will be made available to the private market to ease current demand experienced by pharmacies”.
This was to “support continuity of private provision” and enable “up to 2,000 pharmacies to receive vaccines in the next 48 hours”.
