Warning as Brits given ‘final chance’ to book their winter jabs and avoid ‘festive flu’
BRITS have been given one “last chance” to get their winter jabs to avoid spending Christmas in bed – or in hospital.
The NHS has called on anyone eligible for a free vaccine to nab a slot before bookings close this week.
People will no longer be able to get an appointment for a free flu or Covid -19 jab via the National Booking Service after Thursday, December 19.
After that, it’ll be much more challenging to protect yourself against the “tidal wave” of flu and winter illnesses reported in recent days.
You might still be able to visit a Covid-19 walk-in vaccination site or find a pharmacy offering the flu vaccine, but you may have to travel further.
Flu and Covid jabs offer vital protection to those at greater risk of severe illness and hospitalisation from the common bugs.
Toddlers, school children, pregnant people, those aged 65 and over and frontline health staff are among those who can get a jab free of charge.
Steve Russell, chief delivery officer and national director for vaccinations and screening at NHS England, said: “With just three days to go, we are now in the last chance saloon to book extra protection against ‘festive flu’ via the online service.
“It’s important to remember that after Thursday, you may have to travel quite a bit further to get jabbed, with appointments no longer in as convenient places like supermarkets or car parks.
“So, as our autumn vaccination programme closes, it’s important to come forward and get jabbed for yourselves and your loved ones.”
Last week, NHS bosses warned of an earlier-than-usual surge of flu and seasonal viruses, which saw hospitalisations for flu jump by 70 per cent in the space of a week.
The flu wave comes as the health service heads into an extremely busy winter, with the latest data showing record numbers of patients heading to A&E.
In the days following health bosses’s plea, Brits flocked to take up their jabs.
Over half a million vaccinations have now been booked in the last five weeks, with NHS staff giving a staggering 28 million flu, Covid and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccinations.
But health services are still bracing themselves for a “quad-demic” of winter illnesses – flu, Covid, sickness big norovirus and lung-disease causing RSV – as the latest flu data shows a 38 per cent increase in hospital admissions and an 80 per cent increase in ICU admissions.
Why get jabbed?
Increasing rates of flu are placing additional strain on hospitals and health services as we head into the festive period.
But health bosses have also warned that a flu, Covid or RSV infection could “derail” Christmas plans.
How to book your seasonal jabs
Up until December 19, you can book your flu and Covid-19 jabs through:
- The NHS App
- The NHS website
- Calling 119 if you need help finding sites still offering winter vaccinations
- Your local GP practice
It’s still possible to book your vaccinations after 19 December through local NHS vaccination services, like pharmacies or walk-in sites, but there will be fewer slots available.
Steve said: “The NHS is heading into winter busier than ever before, and with a worrying, earlier-than-usual surge in seasonal viruses being seen, we’re now urging people to get vaccinated before it becomes less convenient on the 20 December.
“Vaccination is our best protection against the viruses that derail the things that we want to do, including starting our all-important New Year’s resolutions and seeing friends and family in the new year. It can also have a significant impact on our loved ones working in jobs that don’t provide sick pay.”
Minister for public health and prevention Andrew Gwynne added: “Flu cases are putting a lot of pressure on the NHS, so it’s vital those eligible for the vaccine come forward to protect themselves and their loved ones.
“The best Christmas present you can give to your loved ones is to get vaccinated – book your flu jab today and protect yourself over the festive season.”
And Susan Hopkins, chief medical advisor at UKHSA, said: “Taking up the vaccine will prevent putting your seasonal plans in jeopardy – and more importantly, prevent the risk of severe illness and hospitalisation.”
Who is eligible for free Covid, flu and RSV vaccines?
In line with JCVI advice, those eligible for a flu vaccine this year include:
From October 3:
- Those aged 65 years and over
- Those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book)
- Those at serious risk, including those with a BMI over 40, diabetes, heart and breathing conditions
- Those in long-stay residential care homes
- Carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
- Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
- Frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer-led occupational health scheme – including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers
- Those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets, such as Personal Assistants.
From September 1:
- Pregnant women
- All children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024
- Primary school-aged children (from Reception to Year 6)
- Secondary school-aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11)
- All children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years
Those eligible for an autumn Covid booster are:
- Residents in a care home for older adults
- All adults aged 65 years and over
- Persons aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as defined in the Green Book, including pregnant women
- Frontline health and social care workers and staff in care homes for older adults
Those eligible for an RSV vaccine are:
- Pregnant people from 28 weeks onwards
- People aged 75 to 79