Programme for Covid-19 autumn booster and annual flu jabs announced
COVID-19 autumn booster vaccinations will be offered to:
- all adults aged 50 years 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
- residents in a care home for older adults and staff working in care homes for older adults
- frontline health and social care workers.
People at most risk will be invited to come forward first and the NHS will advise eligible people when it is their turn.
Where can I get a COVID-19 vaccination?
There will be a wide range of locations for people to have their COVID-19 booster vaccinations. Most GP practices are working together to deliver vaccinations for their patients, prioritising the vaccination of care home residents and their housebound patients. Local pharmacies, ‘pop up’ vaccination centres and outreach clinics will be taking vaccinations into the heart of communities across Hertfordshire.
COVID-19 National Booking Service
The COVID-19 national booking service is now open to autumn booster bookings for those who are at most risk of serious illness, such as people aged 75 and over, those who are immunosuppressed and frontline health and care staff.
Hertfordshire residents who are in one of these groups can book online or call 119, as long as it has been at least three months since their last dose. Bookings will open to adults aged 50 and over in the next few weeks.
If you have never had a COVID vaccination, it’s not too late to catch up.
Annual flu vaccine
This year, the offer of the free flu vaccine has been widened to include more groups than ever before and the most vulnerable people will be offered protection first.
Flu vaccination is important because:
- more people are likely to get flu this winter as fewer people will have built up an immunity to it during the COVID-19 pandemic
- if you get flu and COVID-19 at the same time, research shows you are more likely to be seriously ill
- getting vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 will provide protection for you and those around you for both these serious illnesses
Those eligible for a free flu vaccine are:
- children aged 2 or 3 years old on 31 August 2022
- school aged children (all primary school aged children (reception year to year 6) and secondary school children up to year 11)
- those aged 6 months to under 50 years in clinical risk groups
- pregnant women
- everyone aged 50 and over
- those in long-stay residential care homes
- carers / in receipt of carer’s allowance / or main carer of an older or disabled person
- close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
- frontline health and social care staff
Where can I get a flu vaccination?
GPs and pharmacists will be giving seasonal flu vaccinations from September onwards. Those in eligible groups will be invited by their GP practice or will be able to make an appointment with a local pharmacy to have the jab.
It is safe for flu vaccinations to be given at the same time as COVID-19 vaccinations, or they can be given on separate occasions.
If you are eligible and have never had a COVID-19 or flu vaccination before, it’s not too late to start now. Make an appointment online, speak to a pharmacist, visit one of our local walk-in-clinics or ring 119 for more information.
Further information
You can find the latest COVID-19 and flu vaccination information in Hertfordshire and check if you are eligible here
Government advice about the programme for COVID-19 boosters and flu jabs can be found here
