NHS Winter vaccine rollout begins with care homes
The adult covid and flu vaccination programme, which was brought forward based on the latest expert advice following the emergence of a new covid-19 variant, will prioritise those at greatest risk.
Starting with care homes and people who are housebound, other eligible groups will begin to be invited to get their top up protection ahead of winter.
NHS staff have worked hard to prepare for the earlier start of the programme with 3,500 sites – more sites than ever before – taking part in the campaign this year to make it as easy as possible for people to get protection.
People will be able to book their jabs from 18 September, through the NHS website, the NHS App or by calling 119.
Eligible groups may also be offered a vaccination sooner by GP surgeries or other local NHS services.
The NHS is encouraging people to get both vaccinations as soon as they can and not delay, due to the risk of the new covid-19 variant and ahead of the winter period.
It is important for those who are eligible to top up their protection, even if they have had a vaccine or been ill with flu or covid before, as immunity wanes over time and these viruses change each year.
Last year, the NHS faced the ‘twindemic’ of flu and covid with high occupancy in hospitals and record pressure on staff and plans for this winter are already underway.
