More than 35 million people will be eligible for a free flu jab this winter, as part of what the government is calling the most comprehensive flu vaccination programme in UK history.
Last year the highest ever levels of flu vaccine uptake were achieved against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic. The programme was also expanded to include all people aged 50 and over and school pupils in year 7.
Four in five (80.9%) people aged 65 and over in England had their flu jab – exceeding the World Health Organization’s target of 75%.
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The flu vaccination drive will begin in September and those eligible for a free vaccine will include:
- those aged six months to under 50 years in clinical risk groups
- pregnant women
- those aged 50 years and over
- unpaid carers
- close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
- frontline health and adult social care staff
- all children aged two and three on 31 August 2021
- all children in primary school and all children in school Years 7 to 11 in secondary school.
Health and social care secretary Sajid Javid said: “Flu can be a serious illness and we want to build a wall of protection by immunising a record number of people.
“With the nation getting closer to normal life, we must learn to live with Covid-19 alongside other viruses and we’re offering the free flu jab to millions more people to help keep them safe this winter.
“The phenomenal scale of the Covid-19 vaccination programme is a clear demonstration of the positive impact vaccination can make and I encourage all those eligible to get their flu jab when called forward.”
Dr Yvonne Doyle, medical director at Public Health England, said: “The flu vaccine is safe, effective and protects millions of people each year from what can be a devastating illness.
“Last winter, flu activity was extremely low, but this is no reason for complacency as it means less people have built up a defence against the virus. Combined with the likelihood that Covid-19 will still be circulating, this makes the coming flu season highly unpredictable.
“We will be preparing for a challenging winter by expanding our world-leading flu vaccination programme to over 35 million people, saving more lives and limiting the impact on the NHS and social care.”
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The Department of Health and Social Care warned that there could possibly be higher levels of winter flu this year. Last year, the widespread use of measures including mask wearing, social distancing and lockdowns last season restricted the spread of the virus.
The government is also preparing for a Covid-19 booster vaccination programme for the most vulnerable individuals, the details of which are expected to be released later this summer.
