Flu/Covid 19 seasonal vaccinations
Preparations have started for the upcoming seasonal flu and Covid 19 vaccinations. We have been advised by the JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations) to delay the adult vaccination programme until the beginning of October to maximise protection and uptake for all those eligible. We will send out links to those who are eligible and who wish to receive their vaccines from the surgery.
Flu vaccinations – who is eligible?
From 1st September 2024:
- Pregnant women
- All children aged 2y or 3y on 31 August 2024
- Primary and secondary school children (reception to year 11) vaccinations to completed in school.
- Aged 6m to 17y in a clinical risk group (defined by the Green Book).
From 3rd October 2024
- Patients aged 65y and over
- Patients aged 18y to 64y in a clinical risk group (defined by the Green Book).
- Patients in older adult long-stay residential care/nursing 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 health and care workers – those in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme. (We will be encouraging all care home staff to go the their registered GP)
Covid 19 vaccinations – who is eligible?
Covid 19 – Autumn Booster – programme to start 03 October 2024 and will be given alongside flu vaccines
JCVI advises that a COVID-19 vaccine should be offered to:
- adults aged 65 years and over
- residents in a care/nursing home for older adults
- individuals aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group (as defined in tables 3 or 4 in the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book)
The committee does not advise an offer of COVID-19 vaccination within the autumn 2024 national COVID-19 vaccination programme for frontline health and social care workers, staff working in care homes for older adults, unpaid carers and household contacts of people with immunosuppression.
Why is the flu vaccination programme starting later this year?
Based on the evidence that flu vaccine’s effectiveness can wane over time in adults, the start of the programme has been moved back to the beginning of October to coincide with the expected peak of the flu season, later in the year.
For all eligible patients an appointment booking link will be sent out and those patients without a registered mobile will be contacted directly.