News from our partners: People 50 and over can book their COVID-19 Booster and flu vaccinations

News from our partners NHS Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin

From today, Friday 14 October 2022, people aged 50 and over can now book their COVID-19 Autumn Booster and flu vaccination in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, with appointments starting from tomorrow (Saturday 15 October).

People aged 50 and over can now book their COVID-19 autumn booster online via the National Booking Service or by calling NHS 119.

Flu vaccinations for those 50 and over or those eligible can be booked through their GP practice or by visiting a participating community pharmacy.

For a full list of Pharmacies offering a free NHS flu vaccination, including those not part of the online booking pilot please visit: www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescriptions-and-pharmacies/pharmacy-nhs-flu-vaccine-service/. Please call 119 if you need help.

COVID-19 Autumn Booster 2022

Steve Ellis, Programme and Service Director for Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin’s Vaccination Service, said:-

“We have got off to a great start in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin delivering more than 80,000 COVID-19 autumn boosters already in just over a month to people aged 65 and over and those most at risk from COVID-19.

“I would urge anyone aged 50 and over or who is eligible for a vaccine to book their autumn booster and/or flu vaccination as soon as they can, ahead of winter. More people get these viruses over winter and the vaccines are the best protection against getting seriously ill from flu and COVID-19 and spreading it to others.

“We have lots of bookable appointments and walk-in sites across the county, so don’t delay and get your jabs done as soon as you can.”

More than 30 sites are now delivering COVID-19 autumn boosters, while the flu jab is being offered at numerous community pharmacies and GP surgeries across the county helping to ensure that the vaccines are convenient to access.

Approximately 26 million people are eligible for an autumn COVID-19 booster, with health leaders warning of a ‘twindemic’ of the two illnesses this winter and urged people to come forward for their jabs.

NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard, said:-

“Thanks to the incredible work of our frontline staff across the country, our COVID-19 autumn vaccination programme continues to go from strength to strength as we open up eligibility to around 12 million more people from tomorrow.

“The rollout is off to a flying start – we have invited twice as many people as we did last autumn and we have jabbed twice as many people as we did last autumn.

“As we approach what could be an extremely challenging winter for the NHS, it is vital to get your protection against both COVID-19 and flu so please come forward and book in when you can.”

NHS director for vaccinations and screening Steve Russell said:-

“More than seven million autumn COVID-19 boosters have been administered so far thanks to the hard work of NHS staff and volunteers, and while this is a brilliant start, our work is not done as more than 12 million people are now being invited to take up the offer and book an appointment as soon as possible.

“Vaccinations are our strongest weapon against these viruses and NHS staff are once again doing all they can to protect the public, including through a new trial that will allow people to book their flu jab through the National Booking Service.

“If you are between 50 and 64 then please do not hesitate to log on and book yourself an appointment, it is the best way to protect yourself from serious illness this winter.”

Around 33 million people in England will be eligible for a free flu vaccine this year, including all primary-age and some secondary-age children, who will be offered a nasal spray.

While sites are co-administering the flu and COVID-19 vaccines where possible, people may be required to book two separate appointments for the different vaccines.

Minister Dr Caroline Johnson, said:-

“It is really encouraging that millions of people have already come forward for their flu and COVID-19 booster vaccines, increasing their immunity ahead of winter when viruses circulate more easily.

“Those eligible can now easily book a free flu and autumn booster vaccine online through the National Booking Service. Please come forward to give yourself and your loved ones vital protection over the coming months.”

Chief medical adviser at the UK health security agency Dr Susan Hopkins, said:-

“The double threat of widely circulating flu and COVID-19 this year is a real concern, so it’s crucial that you take up the free flu vaccine as soon as possible if you are offered it. It will help protect you from severe flu this winter, and even save your life.

“All those over 50 are now eligible for the jab, many of which will have low natural immunity due to COVID-19 restrictions over the last two years.”

Those eligible for the flu jab are:

• people aged 50 and over
• those aged over six months to 49 with a specified health condition
• some secondary school-aged children
• 2 and 3-year-olds
• pregnant women
• primary school-aged children
• those in care homes
• people who are carers as set out in the Green Book
• frontline healthcare workers
• frontline social care staff who do not have access to occupational health schemes
• household contacts of people with weakened immune system. 

For a full list of Pharmacies offering a free NHS flu vaccination including those not part of the NBS pilot please visit:  https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescriptions-and-pharmacies/pharmacy-nhs-flu-vaccine-service/

In line with JCVI advice, those eligible for an autumn COVID-19 booster this year include:

• residents in a care home for older adults and staff working in care homes for older adults
• frontline health and social care workers
• all adults aged 50 years and over
• persons aged 5 to 49 years in a clinical risk group, as set out in the Green Book
• persons aged 5 to 49 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
• persons aged 16 to 49 years who are carers, as set out in the Green Book

 More than 131 million COVID-19 vaccines have been administered by NHS staff and volunteers since the first COVID-19 jab was delivered outside of clinical trials to Maggie Keenan in Coventry in December 2020.