Asda has announced it will offer Covid-19 booster vaccinations in its stores, including two in Essex.

Stores in Basildon and Shoeburyness will fulfil that role.

This move makes Asda the first supermarket to offer such the booster, and it will make it possible through its network of in-store pharmacies.

A full list of the Asda supermarkets offering the jab can be found here.

There will be 72 in-store pharmacies included as part of this booster vaccine operation, with Asda expected to administer 7500 jabs a week.

Gazette: Asda will offer the Covid-19 booster jab through its network of in-store pharmacies (Asda)Asda will offer the Covid-19 booster jab through its network of in-store pharmacies (Asda)

The supermarket has operated three dedicated Covid vaccinations centres at stores in Birmingham, Watford and London since January and recently delivered its 100,000th jab from these sites.

These sites will continue to offer first and second vaccines as well as booster jabs.

The address for the Shoeburyness store is North Shoebury Road, Shoeburyness, Southend, SS3 8DA and the address for the Basildon store is Pipps Hill Retail Park, Miles Gray Road, Basildon, SS14 3AF.

When will Asda's Covid-19 booster vaccine programme begin?

The new service will begin in early October and continue through the winter months.

Individuals in priority groups will receive their appointment from the NHS and have the option to select the Asda store as a convenient location to receive their booster jab. They should not contact the store directly.

Asda is also offering its annual winter flu jab service in-store at the same time which costs £8.00 for people who are not eligible for a free NHS flu jab.

Faisal Tuddy, Asda Superintendent Pharmacist at Asda, said: “We are proud to have supported the NHS vaccination rollout throughout the year and will continue to do all we can to help vulnerable individuals top up their protection ahead of the winter months.

"Expanding the booster service to more than 70 Asda stores across the UK means that many more people will be able to receive their jabs in a convenient location at the heart of their community.”