Health and Social Care Secretary said:
“I have accepted the independent advice of the Joint Committee on
Vaccination and Immunisation to offer an autumn Covid booster to
people aged 50 and over, residents and staff in care homes for
older adults, frontline health and social care workers, unpaid
carers, individuals aged five to 49 in clinical risk groups and
household contacts of those who are immunosuppressed.
“NHS staff and volunteers provided an outstanding service to the
public through the biggest and fastest vaccination rollout in
England’s history, which saved countless lives and allowed us to
live with this virus without restrictions on our freedom.
“Viruses spread more easily in the colder seasons with people
socialising inside, so the risk of getting Covid is higher. It is
absolutely vital the most vulnerable groups receive a booster
vaccine to strengthen their immunity against serious disease over
winter to protect themselves and reduce pressure on the NHS.
“The flu virus could also be highly infectious at this time of
year, so today I am also announcing that those eligible for a
free flu vaccination this year will include everyone aged 50 and
over, primary school children and secondary school pupils in
years 7, 8 and 9, as well as people in clinical risk groups,
unpaid carers and household contacts of those who are
immunosuppressed.
“If you or your child are eligible for a Covid or flu vaccine, I
urge you to come forward as soon as you are invited by the NHS.”
BACKGROUND:
Covid
- The programme is expected to start in early autumn. Details
of how the programme will be delivered including how people will
be invited for vaccination will be set out nearer the start of
the programme.
*The definition of frontline health and social care workers is
published in the Green Book
**Clinical risk groups are set out in the Green Book – Tables 3
and 4
*** The definition of carers aged 16 to 49 years is set out in
the Green Book – Table 3
Influenza
The groups that are now eligible for the flu vaccine this coming
season are:
- all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2022
- all primary school aged children (from reception to Year 6)
- those aged 6 months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups
- pregnant women
- those aged 65 years and over
- those in long-stay residential care homes
- carers
- close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
- frontline staff employed by the following types of social
care providers without employer led occupational health schemes:
- a registered residential care or nursing home
- registered domiciliary care provider
- a voluntary managed hospice provider
- Direct Payment (personal budgets) or Personal Health Budgets,
such as Personal Assistants
And later in the season:
- All adults aged 50 to 64 years
- Secondary school children in years 7, 8 and 9, who will be
offered the vaccine in order of school year (starting with the
youngest first)
- The flu vaccine programme outlined above applies to England
only
Prime Minister, said:
“Our vaccination programme has been one of the fastest and most
successful in the world. Because of our collective efforts, from
our NHS who got those jabs in arms, to everyone who came forward
to keep themselves and those around them safe, we were able to
open up our country while protecting lives and livelihoods.
“Today we have confirmed the next phase in our booster programme
to keep our defences strong over autumn and winter. Vaccines were
our way out of this pandemic, and now they will make sure covid
can never haunt us in the same way again.”
