For many people, visiting a GP practice or pharmacy simply isn’t possible. Irregular work shifts, jobs without paid leave, homelessness, or being housebound can all make accessing routine healthcare difficult. To make sure no one is left behind this winter, NHS teams across the region are providing additional clinics, outreach support, and home visits to bring vaccines directly to the people who need them most.
Reaching people experiencing homelessness
People experiencing homelessness are far more likely to live with chronic health conditions, which significantly increases their risk of serious illness during winter.
To help protect these communities, extra vaccine clinics have been set up across the city-region. Urban Village Medical Practice is running dedicated clinics at:
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Barnabus Day Centre on Bloom Street, central Manchester
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The Booth Centre on Pimblett Street, Cheetham Hill
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Cornerstone Day Centre on Denmark Road, Hulme
In Stockport, The Wellspring on Harvey Street hosts Monday walk-in flu vaccine clinics alongside wider health support, with further outreach delivered directly into local hostels.
Staff at these centres often take time to sit with people over a hot drink, giving space to discuss concerns and support them to feel comfortable having their vaccine. For some, it’s the first time in years they’ve felt able to speak openly with a healthcare professional.
Making vaccination easier for busy lives
Additional drop-in clinics have been set up at community hubs to help people fit vaccinations around work, family and daily commitments.
For example, Langworthy Medical Practice is running daily sessions (9.30am–3.30pm) at the Salford British Legion on Langworthy Road, offering both walk-in appointments and pre-booked slots.
Alongside this, NHS Greater Manchester continues to work closely with partners involved in the A Bed Every Night (ABEN) programme, which provides safe, mostly self-contained accommodation for people experiencing homelessness. Having a stable place to stay enables residents to register with a GP more easily and access their flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.
Supporting migrants, refugees and people seeking asylum
NHS Greater Manchester is also taking steps to ensure migrants, refugees and people seeking asylum can access winter vaccinations without barriers.
Some people may be new to the NHS, unfamiliar with vaccination processes or face language challenges. To support them, GP practices and community teams are offering translated information, outreach clinics and staff who speak a range of languages — helping to keep all communities well throughout winter.
Bringing vaccines directly to housebound residents
Many housebound people cannot travel to a GP practice or pharmacy, and often live with long-term health conditions that put them at higher risk of serious illness. They may also be more exposed to viruses through carers, relatives or support workers.
To protect them, NHS teams are arranging home visits, ensuring individuals receive their vaccines in a safe and comfortable environment. Carers or support workers can often be present to provide extra reassurance.
“Everyone has the right to be protected” – Dr Helen Wall
Dr Helen Wall, Clinical Director for Population Health at NHS Greater Manchester, said:
“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.”
Check you’re up to date
Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations delivered this winter are part of the wider NHS vaccination programme. Residents are encouraged to check the NHS App or contact their GP practice to ensure they are up to date with all vaccines they are eligible for.
Housebound residents will be contacted directly by the providers delivering their home appointments. Anyone concerned they have not yet been contacted can call NHS Greater Manchester’s Care Gateway:
0161 947 0770 or 0800 092 4020
Find out more
Full details on winter vaccinations — including eligibility and clinic locations — are available on our website.
