Millions of people in England can book flu and COVID-19
vaccinations from today (Monday, 23 September) as the NHS rolls
out additional protection for those most at risk ahead of winter.
Anyone eligible can book their vaccinations from 9am via
the NHS website, by downloading the NHS App, or by calling
119 for free if they can't get online.
The vaccinations, which will be available from 3 October, provide
vital protection to keep people from developing serious illnesses
and ending up in hospital during busy winter months.
This year, based on the latest scientific evidence,
the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI)
recommended adults aged 65 and over, residents in older
adult care homes and those with underlying health conditions aged
6 months to 64 years will be eligible for flu and COVID-19
vaccinations.
The Government has also decided that, as in previous years, the
COVID-19 and flu vaccines will be offered to frontline health and
social care staff, with staff in older adult care homes being
offered the COVID-19 jab.
Eligible people will begin receiving invitations from the NHS to
get their jabs, while GP practices and other local NHS services
will also be contacting people to offer both vaccines. The flu
vaccine can also be booked by searching online for a local
pharmacy.
Flu season usually peaks in December and January, so starting
adult vaccinations from October will ensure those most at risk
are protected during the colder months when people gather indoors
and viruses spread.
For the first time, the NHS is also offering vaccines for
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common cause of coughs and
colds which can be dangerous to older people and young children.
The jab, introduced earlier this month, is available to those
aged 75 to 79, and is being offered to pregnant women from 28
weeks, to protect their child.
It is hoped this year's vaccination campaigns will help avoid a
“tripledemic” of RSV, covid and flu colliding during an already
busy time for frontline staff.
For those adults eligible for both flu and COVID-19 vaccines, the
NHS will make them available at the same time, giving the option
to get protection from both viruses in one visit. However, it is
more effective for people to have the RSV vaccination on a
different day from any flu or COVID-19 vaccinations.
Flu vaccinations for children started in September for the new
school year, to help stop the virus spreading, and pregnant women
have been able to get their jab from 1 September.
Michelle Kane, Director for Vaccinations at NHS England,
said: “The flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be life-saving
and are our best defences against these viruses – and it takes
just a few minutes to book online or via the NHS App or 119, so I
would urge everyone eligible to do so, to protect themselves and
people around them.
“We know that these vaccinations help more people keep well and
stay out of hospital during the winter months, which is
especially important at a time when the NHS is expected to be
under a lot of pressure. It is therefore vital that everyone
eligible comes forward when invited.”
Dr Julie Yates, UKHSA Deputy Director for Immunisation
Programmes, said: “Many people who are more vulnerable
to getting a severe illness from respiratory viruses like flu and
COVID-19 are not aware they are at greater risk and eligible for
these vaccines. If you are pregnant or have a certain long-term
condition you should be offered the vaccines – if unsure, please
speak with a trusted nurse or doctor.
“Older people and younger children with flu are also much more
likely to get hospitalised and should also get the vaccines they
are eligible for as soon as possible to ensure they are protected
as we head into winter.”
The nasal flu vaccine is the most effective vaccine for children
aged 2-17 years but if this is not suitable the GP or practice
nurse may be able to offer a flu vaccine injection as an
alternative.
In line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and
Immunisation, those eligible for a flu vaccine this year include:
From 3 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 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
From 1 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
