Health chiefs today announced a fresh Covid vaccine programme ahead of what they fear will be a difficult winter.
Worrying figures reveal the virus is sweeping through the UK, with a huge 3.5 million people estimated to have been infected last week.
Among those who will be entitled for a fresh jab - regardless of whether they had one in the spring - are frontline healthcare workers and everyone aged over 50.
People deemed at highest risk - including pregnant women - will also be offered an additional dose, as will those who live with the immunosuppressed.
More than 87 per cent of people above the age of 12 have received two jabs, but significantly fewer, 68.8 per cent, have had three, the Department of Health said.
Who will be offered an additional jab this autumn?
Under today's announcement, those eligible for a further jab in the Autumn will be:
- 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 and over
- Those aged 5 to 49 years in a clinical risk group, including pregnant women
- Those aged 5 to 49 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
- Those aged 16 to 49 years who are carers
Today the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said those eligible for a winter booster jab would be contacted "in due course", and instructed people not to come forward until further details are announced.
It said the move was being taken after analysis identifying those most at risk from the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron sub-variants, which are sweeping through the country at an alarming rate.
The agency said in a statement: "All eligible groups are encouraged to take up the vaccine when it is offered, even if they have had a spring booster, to give themselves the best possible protection against COVID-19 this winter."
Who will qualify for additional flu jabs?
In addition to the Covid Autumn programme, health chiefs have confirmed that the number of people who qualify for free flu jabs has been widened.
This is because experts fear the flu season could be the worst in at least three years as people get back to their normal lives, having lived under restrictions for much of 2020 and 2021.
The additional groups set to be offered the free flu vaccine in England will be:
- All adults aged 50 to 64 years
- Secondary school children in years 7, 8 and 9, who will be offered the vaccine in order of school year (starting with the youngest first)
They will be eligible once those classified as most vulnerable - including pre-school and primary school children, those aged 65 years and over and those in clinical risk groups - have been offered the jab.
Why is this necessary?
Experts are worried about the upcoming winter, with increased socialising and people meeting indoors creating a breeding ground for respiratory viruses.
A double whammy of flu and Covid could create a nightmare for the NHS and cause the loss of thousands of lives.
Analysis of those at highest risk in the latest coronavirus waves have helped healthcare bosses identify those at highest risk and ensure they receive boosters to give the best protection.
It is believed that vaccine protection could wane after a few months, making it crucial for people most at risk to have top-up jabs.
What have experts said?
Professor Anthony Harnden, Deputy Chair of the JCVI, said: “We have provided our final recommendations for the autumn programme to ensure the NHS and wider health system has time to plan a vaccine rollout well ahead of the winter season.
“The COVID-19 boosters are highly effective at increasing immunity and, by offering a further dose to those at higher risk of severe illness this autumn, we hope to significantly reduce the risk of hospitalisations and deaths over the winter.”
Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at UKHSA, said: “Widening the eligibility for the flu vaccine will help reduce the number of people getting seriously ill and ease pressures on the NHS, particularly during the busy winter period.
“It is also important that everyone eligible for the COVID-19 booster gets the jab when invited, including pregnant women, who are among those at higher risk.
"Having COVID-19 during pregnancy can lead to complications. Getting the vaccine, including a booster, offers the best possible protection for you and your baby.”
