Covid and flu vaccinations are being offered to older people from October (Image: Getty)
People aged 75 and over are being offered two NHS vaccines from October as part of efforts to protect them against viruses expected to circulate this winter.
The free vaccinations include the seasonal flu jab and the autumn Covid booster. The NHS launches its annual flu vaccination programme in autumn to give people time to build protection before respiratory viruses typically reach their winter peak. Flu cases usually peak in December and January, but the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned that infections are already increasing, indicating that the flu season may have started earlier than usual this year.
The increase in flu cases comes as Covid-19 infections are also climbing. The XFG variant, known as ‘Stratus’ or ‘American Covid’, was linked to a sharp rise in cases across the UK last month.
UKHSA figures show that 4,589 new Covid infections were recorded in September, up 230% from the 1,374 cases reported in August. Covid-related hospital admissions also rose significantly, from 950 in August to 4,939 in September. More than half of the positive tests were associated with the XFG strain.
Although current evidence suggests the XFG variant does not cause more severe illness than other Covid strains circulating in the UK, vaccination can reduce the risk of serious disease and hospitalisation. The same protection applies to flu vaccination.
The NHS and UKHSA are advising everyone who qualifies for a seasonal vaccine to come forward rather than wait until winter, as it can take around two weeks for full immunity to develop.
NHS National Medical Director Professor Frankie Swords said: “Staff are already seeing the ominous early signs of pressure, with more patients coming to A&E with flu and other respiratory viruses than usual for this time of year, and unfortunately, many people are still waiting longer than we would like them to.
“This is why it’s absolutely crucial to take up the offer of flu, RSV, COVID-19 and other vaccinations if you’re eligible, to protect yourself, your family and the public. We all have our part to play, so please don’t wait for winter – come forward to your GP or pharmacy now and get protected”.
The autumn Covid-19 vaccination programme began on October 1 and is available to people at the highest risk of serious illness, including:
residents of care homes for older adults
people aged six months and over who are immunosuppressed
The flu vaccination programme also opened on October 1 to adults aged 65 and over. Anyone eligible who has not yet had the jab can now arrange an appointment.
The October rollout also covers people aged 18 to 65 in a clinical risk group, residents of long-stay care homes, carers receiving Carer’s Allowance, close contacts of people who are immunocompromised and frontline social care workers.
The NHS will contact eligible people when they can receive their flu vaccine. Appointments will be available through GP surgeries or pharmacies offering NHS flu vaccinations.
The UKHSA said: “Because flu activity is already trending higher than usual for this point in the year, and because it takes a couple of weeks for the vaccine to provide full protection, getting vaccinated sooner rather than later gives you the best chance of being protected before flu takes hold more widely.
“If this does turn into an early season, waiting could mean you’re exposed during the period before your immunity has had time to build.”
