With less than three weeks left to book COVID and flu
vaccinations online, NHS chiefs are urging everyone still
eligible to get protected – as the latest figures show nearly 25
million vaccines have been delivered so far.
As the huge effort to help avoid a ‘tripledemic' this winter
continues, people have until the end of 19 December to book COVID
and flu vaccination appointments on the NHS online booking
system, NHS App and 119 phone service.
Meanwhile the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine – being
rolled out by the NHS for the first time in its history – will
remain available all year round.
The latest vaccination data shows hardworking NHS teams have
delivered 15.88 million flu and 9.08 million COVID vaccinations
since September, along with 1.1 million RSV vaccinations.
In the last week alone (ending 18 November) more than a million
jabs were given – 655,473 flu vaccines, 294,399 COVID vaccines
and 60,743 RSV.
It is still possible to book your vaccinations after December 19
through local NHS vaccination services, like pharmacies or
walk-in sites. However, there will be fewer COVID appointments,
and you may need to travel further.
Steve Russell, NHS national director for vaccinations and
screening, said: “With just three weeks left to book a
COVID and flu vaccination online, on the NHS App or via 119, it
is so important that everyone eligible takes the opportunity to
get protected while they still can.
“Getting vaccinated is your best defence against winter viruses
and will help prevent people from getting seriously ill, reduce
the amount of people needing hospital care, and help keep people
at home with their families this winter.
“Millions of vaccinations have been delivered thanks to the hard
work of our dedicated NHS teams across the country - but we're
still urging more people to come forward and make sure they are
protected this winter by getting these lifesaving vaccines as
soon as possible.”
Since 1 September, flu vaccinations have been available for
pregnant women and children to help stop the virus spreading as
schools returned, and are now fully rolled out across the country
to all remaining eligible groups.
Anyone eligible can book a COVID or flu vaccine appointment via
the NHS website, 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 COVID walk in vaccination sites.
Those eligible for an RSV vaccine include people aged 75 to 79
and pregnant women. Pregnant women will be offered the RSV
vaccine from 28 weeks and can have it until birth and should
speak to their maternity service or GP surgery if they are 28
weeks pregnant or more and have not been offered the vaccine.
Older adults will be invited by their local GP practice.
This latest call for people to come forward, comes as the NHS
ramps up its plans to deliver the safest possible care this
winter, including the smarter use of data, and more care in the
community including virtual wards and urgent community response
teams.
Minister for Public Health, said: “It's
encouraging to see that nearly 25 million Covid-19 and Flu
vaccines have already been administered this year, which will
provide people with vital protection and reduce pressure on the
NHS this winter.
“I urge everyone who is eligible to take up the offer and get
their Flu, COVID-19, and RSV jabs as soon as possible. They are
without a doubt the best way to protect yourself and your family
from these viruses that can cause serious harm.”
In line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and
Immunisation, those eligible for a flu vaccine this year include:
- 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
- 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
