UK expands flu and Covid vaccines ahead of winter

From Oct 1, health services began offering seasonal flu and Covid-19 vaccines to eligible groups as case numbers for multiple respiratory viruses show early signs of rising ahead of winter. Authorities are urging those at higher risk to get vaccinated and are expanding access through pharmacies, GP practices, community clinics, school programmes and mobile vaccination teams to build protection before the winter peak in December and January.

Health officials say the flu programme is available to people aged 65 and over, pregnant women, care home residents and carers, under-65s in clinical risk groups, close contacts of immunosuppressed people, frontline health and social care workers, and children, including schoolchildren and two and three year olds in some settings. Covid-19 boosters are being offered this autumn to people aged 75 and over, older adult care home residents and those who are immunosuppressed, following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. Pregnant women are not being routinely offered the Covid-19 booster this year under the JCVI guidance. Authorities are also recommending RSV and pneumococcal vaccines to some older adults and...