The NHS winter vaccine programme is now underway. This week, residents of older adult care homes and people who are housebound will begin receiving their COVID-19 and flu vaccinations, as we prioritise those at greatest risk.
From 18 September, other eligible groups have been invited to get their vaccines and people will be able to book their jabs through the NHS website, the NHS App and by calling 119.
The vaccine rollout was brought forward this year on latest expert advice following the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant. 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.
It’s important for those eligible to top up their protection, as immunity fades over time and these viruses change each year. Last year, the NHS faced the ‘twindemic’ of flu and COVID with high occupancy rates in hospitals and record pressure on staff. Help protect your local NHS and community by sharing information about the vaccine rollout.
Winter vaccine programme
Following guidance from the Chief Medical Officer and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), NHS England brought forward its covid and flu vaccination programme, which was due to commence at the beginning of October.
The guidance was issued following the emergence of the COVID variant BA.2.86, which is currently under assessment by UKHSA.
NHS staff have worked hard to prepare for the earlier start of the programme, as 3,500 sites, more sites than ever before, will be taking part in the campaign this year to make it as easy as possible for people to get protection.
With the programme brought forward, vaccine providers will be given an additional payment of £10 for each COVID-19 vaccination they administer to care home residents between September 11 and 22 October. They will also be given a separate one-off payment of £200 for each completed care home by the end of 22 October.
For other eligible groups, vaccine providers will receive an additional £5 acceleration payment for each COVID-19 vaccination administered to eligible people between 11 September and 31 October 2023.
Children aged 2-17 will still be able to receive their flu vaccinations from next week. Parents are strongly encouraged to fill out their school consent forms to enable their child to get protected.
The most effective vaccine for children is the nasal vaccine, which is even more convenient and easily administered when compared to a jab.
Last year, the NHS carried out its second biggest ever flu vaccination campaign, with more than 21 million flu vaccinations given to adults and children, while more than 17 million COVID-19 jabs were delivered last winter.
Earlier this year, NHS England announced more than 86 million covid vaccination appointments have been arranged using the NHS’s national online booking system since its launch two years ago.
COVID variant BA.2.86
The precautionary measure is being taken as scientists from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) examine the variant BA.2.86, which was first detected in the UK on Friday 18 August 2023.
According to the latest risk assessment by UKHSA, BA.2.86 has a high number of mutations and has appeared in several countries in individuals without travel history.
BA.2.86 is not currently classified as a variant of concern. However, advice from UKHSA suggests that speeding up the winter vaccine programme as a precautionary measure will deliver greater protection, supporting those at greatest risk of severe illness and reducing the potential impact on the NHS.
