Booster vaccines extended amid fears of ‘double threat’ from flu and Covid

An elderly woman receives a Covid-19 vaccine
Individuals are being urged to get each the Covid-19 and the flu vaccines this winter (Image: Getty Photographs Europe)

Throughout-50s in England will quickly find a way ebook their Covid-19 booster pictures as a part of a push to forestall the ‘double risk’ of coronavirus and the flu.

From tomorrow, greater than 12 million individuals aged between 50 and 64 will be capable of ebook on-line or by cellphone, NHS England has introduced.

The primary appointments will likely be accessible from Saturday.

Some people who find themselves eligible for a flu jab may even be capable of ebook an appointment on-line, with individuals at 200 websites provided the prospect to ebook via the Nationwide Reserving Service.

Folks can nonetheless ebook their flu vaccine via their GP apply or by visiting a pharmacy providing the shot.

Over-50s in Wales and Northern Eire are already eligible for each jabs.

Whereas the Scottish authorities says that it's going to start inviting 50 to 64-year-olds quickly.


Who in England is eligible for the Covid-19 booster?

  • Residents in care properties for older adults
  • Employees working in care properties for older adults
  • Frontline well being and social care staff
  • All adults aged 50 years and over
  • Individuals aged 5 to 49 years in a medical threat group, as set out within the Inexperienced Ebook
  • Individuals aged 5 to 49 years who're family contacts of individuals with immunosuppression
  • Individuals aged 16 to 49 years who're carers, as set out within the Inexperienced Ebook.

Well being officers are urging individuals to get each Covid-19 and flu pictures of their arms as they fear the 2 viruses might show devastating for the NHS.

UK Well being Safety Company’s chief medical advisor Dr Susan Hopkins stated: ‘The double risk of extensively circulating flu and Covid-19 this 12 months is an actual concern.

‘So it’s essential that you just take up the free flu vaccine as quickly as doable if you're provided it. It's going to assist defend you from extreme flu this winter and even save your life.’

Dr Hopkins added that the pure immunity over-50s had towards Covid-19 will possible be waning two years on.

For the reason that Covid-19 booster programme started final month, seven million individuals have come ahead for his or her vaccine, the NHS stated.

Round 33 million individuals in England will likely be eligible for a flu vaccine on the NHS this 12 months.

They embody these over-50s, individuals residing with particular well being situations, pregnant individuals, individuals in care properties, and frontline healthcare and social care workers.

Care home resident Jeff Collins receiving his autumn Covid booster vaccination at Gorsey Clough Nursing Home, Tottington, Bury. The Covid-19 booster vaccine programme is under way in England and Scotland. Although infections are falling, health experts are predicting a resurgence of coronavirus this winter amid a possible worse flu season. Picture date: Thursday September 8, 2022. PA Photo. More than 700 care homes in England are being visited by vaccination teams, with thousands more jabs scheduled before the end of the month. Around seven million people in England, including those aged 75 and over, the immunosuppressed and health and care workers are now able to book a jab. See PA story HEALTH Coronavirus. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire
Covid-19 instances are starting to climb (Image: PA)

FILE - A vial of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is displayed on a counter at a pharmacy in Portland, Ore. on Dec. 27, 2021. Government advisers are debating Tuesday, June 28, 2022, if Americans should get a modified COVID-19 booster shot this fall ??? one that better matches more recent virus variants. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)
American well being officers have permitted the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine for some youngsters (Image: AP)

Rising concern over the mixed impression of the viruses has prompted well being companies the world over to step up vaccination efforts.

The Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) within the US yesterday authorised Covid-19 booster pictures for kids 5 years outdated and above.

Kids aged six years and older are inspired to get the Moderna vaccine, whereas the Pfizer shot will likely be given to youngsters as younger as 5.

The Heart for Illness Management and Prevention has additionally beneficial the primary spherical of boosters for kids 5 to 11 years outdated.

Well being officers have warned a extra cussed influenza virus has begun circulating as flu season kicks off this month.

Contemplating that folks have spent some two years indoors amid the pandemic, consultants anticipate this 12 months’s influenza wave to be greater than standard.

So the earlier everybody — particularly weak individuals — get inoculated, the higher, they are saying.

UK psychological well being minister Dr Caroline Johnson stated: ‘Please come ahead to offer your self and your family members very important safety over the approaching months.’

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