NHS launches COVID-19 and flu jabs to protect against ‘tripledemic’
Those eligible - including older adults, care home residents, and those with long-term health conditions - have been able to book appointments since September. With thousands of slots still available, anyone eligible can book in via the NHS website, the NHS App, or by calling 119 for free.
The flu vaccine can also be booked by searching online for a local pharmacy, and there are walk in sites available to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
The NHS has already invited over 11 million people to come forward and GP practices and other local NHS services will also be contacting people to offer both vaccines, but those that are eligible do not have to wait to receive an invitation to be able to book.
Flu season usually peaks in December and January, so starting vaccinations from October ensures those most at risk are protected during the colder months when people gather indoors, and viruses spread.
Earlier this week, new figures from UKHSA showed that over the past two winters there have been at least 18,000 deaths associated with flu and over 19,500 deaths associated with COVID-19.
The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) jab is also available to those aged 75 to 79 and to pregnant women from 28 weeks to protect their child, with evidence showing it could prevent thousands of A&E attendances, hospital admissions, and serious cases this winter alone.
COVID-19 and flu can be deadly, especially for the most vulnerable. Our winter vaccination programmes, including the new RSV rollout, will provide vital protection to people who need it most – saving lives, reducing hospitalisations and easing pressure on the NHS.
In line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, those eligible for a flu vaccine this year include:
From 1st September:
- pregnant women.
- all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024.
- primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6).
- secondary school aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11).
- all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years.
From 3rd October:
- those aged 65 years and over.
- those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book).
- those in long-stay residential care homes.
- 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 an autumn COVID-19 booster are:
- residents in a care home for older adults.
- all adults aged 65 years and over.
- persons aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as defined in the Green Book, including pregnant women.
-
frontline health and social care workers and staff in care homes for older adults.
With new figures showing thousands of deaths associated with COVID-19 and flu in recent years, it is clear that the threat of winter viruses is all too real, and it is vital that anyone eligible takes up the offer to get vaccinated.
