The NHS winter vaccine programme is now underway. Residents of older adult care homes and people who are housebound, who are prioritised as at greater risk, have begun to receive their COVID-19 boosters and flu vaccinations. Added to this, from this week, other eligible groups will also begin to receive their invitations to get their vaccines and will be able to book their jabs through the NHS website, the NHS App and by calling 119. Further detail will be on the invitation.
The vaccine rollout was brought forward this year on latest expert advice following the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant. The NHS is encouraging people to get both vaccinations as soon as they can and not delay, due to the risk of the new COVID-19 variant BA.2.86, which is currently under assessment by UKHSA.
NHS staff have worked hard to prepare for the earlier start of the programme, as 3,500 sites across the UK, more sites than ever before, will be taking part in the campaign this year to make it as easy as possible for people to get protection. In Sussex the programme is coordinated by the Sussex ICB (Integrated Care Board) – more details, including eligibility criteria, are available on their website here: https://www.sussex.ics.nhs.uk/your-care/covid-19-vaccination/
Last year, the NHS carried out its second biggest ever flu vaccination campaign, with more than 21 million flu vaccinations given to adults and children, while more than 17 million COVID-19 jabs were delivered last winter.
Earlier this year, NHS England announced more than 86 million covid vaccination appointments have been arranged using the NHS’s national online booking system since its launch two years ago.