Get flu and Covid jabs to ease pressure on NHS this winter, Health Secretary says

Health Secretary Sajid Javid is urging people to have their flu and Covid-19 booster vaccines to help ease pressure on the NHS this winter (Photo: Shutterstock)Health Secretary Sajid Javid is urging people to have their flu and Covid-19 booster vaccines to help ease pressure on the NHS this winter (Photo: Shutterstock)
Health Secretary Sajid Javid is urging people to have their flu and Covid-19 booster vaccines to help ease pressure on the NHS this winter (Photo: Shutterstock)

Health Secretary Sajid Javid is urging people to have their flu and Covid-19 booster vaccines to help ease pressure on the NHS this winter.

Experts recently predicted that the two viruses could push the health service to breaking point over the winter period.

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The Government has launched the biggest flu programme in the NHS’s history, with more than 35 million people in England eligible for a free vaccine.

Covid booster jabs are also now being rolled out, which must be given no earlier than six months after a second dose of any Covid-19 vaccine, according to guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

Experts are calling on people to take up the offer of a flu and/or Covid booster when the NHS contacts them and not to delay having either jab.

More than 80% of people aged 65 and over had their flu jab last year, with the NHS aiming to reach at least 85% of this group this flu season.

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It also hopes to reach at least 75% of people with underlying health conditions, at least 75% of pregnant women and at least 70% of eligible children.

All frontline health and social care workers will also be offered a flu jab, with an ambition that at least 85% will accept.

People can book their free NHS flu vaccine via pharmacies or they can wait for their GP surgery to contact them.

Those eligible for a Covid-19 booster jab are being told to wait until they are contacted, but health and social care workers can book one online via the NHS website.

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Those not eligible for a free flu jab can also pay for a dose at pharmacies.

'This year we are rolling out the largest flu vaccine programme in our history'

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “This year we are rolling out the largest flu vaccine programme in our history, alongside the new Covid-19 booster vaccine rollout; both are important to provide vital protection not only to yourself, but also your loved ones while also helping to ease pressure on the NHS.

“The Covid-19 vaccine programme is a fantastic example of how successful vaccination programmes can be – with around 130,000 lives saved.

“It is vital we continue that incredible progress with all those eligible ensuring they get both their flu and Covid-19 booster injections as soon as they are invited.”

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England’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said: “Not many people got flu last year because of Covid-19 restrictions, so there isn’t as much natural immunity in our communities as usual.

“We will see flu circulate this winter; it might be higher than usual and that makes it a significant public health concern.

“Covid-19 will still be circulating and with more people mixing indoors, sadly some increases are possible.“For the first time we will have Covid-19 and flu co-circulating. We need to take this seriously and defend ourselves and the NHS by getting the annual flu jab and the Covid-19 booster when called.

“Both these viruses are serious: they can both spread easily, cause hospitalisation and they can both be fatal. It is really important that people get their vaccines as soon as they can.”