Over-50s join the ‘biggest flu vaccination in history’

THE flu vaccination programme will be rolled out to over-50s from Dec 1, in the next phase of the Government’s expanded immunisation programme, it announces today.

Ministers have promised “the biggest flu vaccination programme in history”, with 30 million people now eligible.

Healthy adults aged 50-64 can now receive the vaccine from GPS or pharmacies, as well as pensioners, those with underlying health conditions, and young children.

Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, said: “Covid means getting a flu jab is more important than ever this year. So we are delivering the largest ever flu vaccination programme.”

Prof Jonathan Van-tam, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, said: “I urge all those who are eligible for the flu vaccine, including the new group of 50-64 year olds, to book their appointments as soon as they can.”

But it was unclear whether the Government would be able to source the millions of extra jabs needed to offer the vaccine to over-50s.

The Department of Health said GPS, trusts and pharmacists can order extra stock from the centrally secured government supply of more than seven million vaccines. It added that the over-50s roll-out of the vaccine is separate to any future Covid-19 vaccine roll-out, and that people will be able to receive flu and Covid-19 vaccinations in parallel.

Flu vaccine uptake is higher in all vulnerable groups except pregnant women compared with this time last year. Provisional data published by PHE suggested that 72.9 per cent of those aged 65 and over, 45 per cent of twoyear-olds and 46.8 per cent of threeyear-olds have had their vaccine.

Jo Churchill, public health minister, said: “To prepare for this challenging winter, we committed to protect as many people as possible from the flu, to reduce the strain on our NHS. More vaccine is flowing into GPS and pharmacies throughout the next few months. I urge anyone eligible for to get one, including all health and social care workers.”