More people will be offered the winter flu jab
The Government is aiming to double its winter flu vaccination programme to 30 million people – with free jabs for those aged over 50 and 11-year-olds.
Last year, around 15 million people received a jab against seasonal flu, but this year health experts are concerned about the impact of a double whammy of Covid-19
cases and seasonal flu potentially overwhelming the NHS.
Currently, the free NHS flu programme is for people over 65, pregnant women, people with certain underlying conditions, their carers or those in care homes.
Frontline health and social care workers are also eligible.
This programme will now be extended to include children who are 11 by the end of August this year and anyone over the age of 50 and over.
Anyone living in a household with somebody on the NHS shielded patient list for Covid-19 will also be eligible for a free jab.
Experts hope GP surgeries will focus on high-risk groups before those aged over 50 in the fit and healthy range.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "This will be the biggest flu vaccination programme in history, and will help protect our NHS as we head into winter.
"If you are eligible for a free vaccine, whether it's for the first time or because you usually receive one, then I would urge you to get it, not just to protect yourself, but to protect the NHS and your loved ones, from flu."
England's chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, said: "Flu can have serious consequences and, this winter more than ever, we need to help reduce all avoidable risks.