North East autumn vaccine roll-out to protect the vulnerable this winter

NHS vaccination services across the region are offering those of high-risk Covid-19 boosters and flu vaccination this autumn.

The roll out of vaccinations started last week.

Vaccination services will be continuing tomorrow (Monday, September 19), the day of Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral. Patients are asked to attend their pre-booked vaccination appointment, otherwise notified otherwise.

For the Covid-19 booster, those who are eligible will receive a text or call, inviting them to book through the National Booking Service, or through their local GP service. For the flu vaccination, patients are invited through their GP, or they can choose to attend a local community pharmacy.

The NHS are urging eligible people to protect themselves and those around them by getting vaccinated, as a resurgence in both flu and Covid-19 is expected this winter.

As was the case with the previous Covid-19 vaccinations, the oldest and most vulnerable are being invited first.

Frontline workers with the health and social care industry are also now able to book their autumn booster, again to protect themselves and their patients.

Others that are eligible for a Covid-19 booster includes people who live or work in a care home for the elderly, those aged over 50, those aged 5 to 49 who are immunosuppressed or live with someone who is, those with high risk health conditions, those aged 16 to 49 who are carers and pregnant people.

The vaccination appointment can be booked online or by calling 119, as long as it has been three months or more since their last dose.

The NHS will be using the bivalent vaccine, a new vaccination in line with JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) guidance. This will tackle both the Omicron and the original variant of the virus.

It is safe to have the COVID-19 and flu vaccinations at the same time but this may not always be possible so the NHS is asking people to get each vaccination as soon as they are invited.

The flu vaccine is being offered to those over the age of 65, those with certain health conditions, pregnant people, those in long-stay residential care, those who are carers to a high-risk person with a weakened immune system or health condition, and front line health and social care workers.

From the middle of October, those aged 50 or over will be eligible for a flu vaccine.

For more information please visit the NHS website.