Health officials are calling on those eligible for flu and Covid-19 vaccines to step forward, in an effort to alleviate the strain on healthcare services as winter approaches.
This plea comes amid NHS concerns about a potential “tripledemic” involving flu, Covid-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Starting from 9am on Monday, September 23, millions will be able to book their vaccinations through the NHS website, app, or by dialling 119, the Express reports.
From October 3, flu vaccinations will be available to those aged 65 and over, individuals between 18 to 65 with clinical risk factors, and residents in long-term care facilities.
Frontline social care workers, along with those caring for the elderly or disabled, are also entitled to receive the flu jab. The autumn Covid booster is being offered to adults over 65, care home residents and staff, frontline health and social care workers, and those in clinical risk groups, including expectant mothers.
NHS England’s vaccination director Michelle Kane emphasised: “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.”
The latest vaccine drive follows invitations extended to pregnant women, toddlers, and school children up to year 11, as well as youngsters from six months to 18 in clinical risk groups, to book their flu jabs.
For the first time this autumn, the NHS is also offering an RSV vaccine. This new vaccine is available for women from their 28th week of pregnancy to shield newborns, and it’s also being offered to older individuals aged between 75 and 79.
Dr Julie Yates, deputy director for immunisation programmes at the UK Health Security Agency, 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.”
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