MILLIONS of Brits have been urged to take up “life-saving” NHS jabs today to dodge a looming “tripledemic” of winter illnesses.
Bookings for vaccinations opened at 9am this morning for eligible groups – as experts warned of “colliding” surges of Covid, flu and RSV.
GettyFlu and Covid vaccines will be rolled out from October 3 but booking for them opens today[/caption]
The NHS is offering additional protection to those most at risk of severe illness and hospitalisation this winter by rolling out its annual flu and Covid vaccine campaigns.
The jabs will be administered from October 3 onwards but booking for the vaccinations opened today, September 23.
Eligible adults in England will be able to nab a slot for their jabs via the NHS website or app, which they can download to their phone.
You can also call 119 for free if you can’t get online.
The NHS says that getting the vaccines will offer protection against a “tripledemic” of RSV, Covid and flu that tends to descend during the winter months – already a busy time for healthcare staff.
Flu season usually peaks in December and January, so starting adult vaccinations from October will ensure those most at risk are protected during the colder months when people gather indoors and viruses spread.
Scientists have also sounded the alarm over a a new, more contagious Covid variant called XEC, which is spreading across several European countries.
Though the bug is not likely to be as deadly as some of its predecessors, experts warned that the XEC variant is shaping up to be the “next big challenge” for hospitals.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) hasn’t yet released data on the XEC variant’s spread in the UK, but the latest figures show that Covid cases in the region are increasing by 4.3 per cent week on week.
Michelle Kane, director for vaccinations at NHS England, said: “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.”
It comes after the NHS rolled vaccines offering protection against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for the first time.
A common cause of coughs and colds, RSV can be dangerous to older people and young children.
The jab was rolled out earlier this is available to adults aged 75 to 79, as pregnant women from 28 weeks, to protect their child from the virus.
Who’s eligible for free Covid and flu jabs this year?
Based on the latest scientific evidence, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended adults that the following groups will be offered the jabs for free:
Adults aged 65 and over
Residents in older adult care homes
Those with underlying health conditions aged 6 months to 64 years
As in previous years, frontline health and social care staff will be offered both jabs for free too.
There may be a few differences in who’s able to receive each vaccine for free, so check our breakdown of eligible groups below.
If you’re eligible to receive a vaccine, you may receive an invitation from the NHS to get your jabs, or you’ll be contacted by your GP practice and other local NHS services.
You can also book your flu vaccine by searching online for a local pharmacy.
Adults eligible for both the flu and Covid vaccine will be able to have them both at the same time, to get protection from both viruses in one visit.
Who is eligible for free Covid, flu and RSV vaccines
In line with JCVI advice, those eligible for a flu vaccine this year include:
From 3 October:
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
Those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets, such as Personal Assistants.
From 1 September:
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 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
However, it is more effective for people to have the RSV vaccination on a different day from any flu or Covid-19 jabs.
Flu vaccinations for children started in September to help stop the virus spreading as the new school year kicked off.
Pregnant women have also been able to book their flu jab since September 1.
Dr Julie Yates, UKHSA deputy director for immunisation programmes, 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.”
What are the symptoms of XEC Covid?
Symptoms are thought to be the same cold or flu-like ones that came with previous variants.
This includes:
A high temperature
Aches
Tiredness
A cough or sore throat
Trouble sleeping
A runny nose
Most people feel better within a few weeks of Covid but it can take longer to recover.
How can I stay protected?
Covid-19 spreads very easily through close contact with people who have the virus.
So if you or your child are at increased risk from Covid try and stay away from people with symptoms until they feel better.
It’s important to wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser regularly throughout the day.
Try to avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.
You should get vaccinated if you are eligible.
The UK Health Security Agency’s Dr Mary Ramsay said: “Our ongoing surveillance shows that Covid-19 continues to cause severe illness.
“It is putting many in hospital, particularly older people and those with underlying medical conditions.
“But it also shows that the autumn vaccines are effective in helping to give added protection to those most at risk.
“Vaccines almost halve the likelihood of hospitalisation from the virus for a few months following vaccination and over the winter period.
“I urge everyone who is eligible to take up the offer of a vaccine as soon as possible once invited.
“It will help improve your immunity to Covid-19, which does wane over time.”
It comes after Covid jabs were made available for sale at pharmacies earlier this year.
Anyone over the age of 12 who is not eligible for a free NHS booster can now purchase a a Pfizer shot for £99 at Boots.
The private jabs are also available at other pharmacies for varying prices.
