Autumn Covid and flu vaccines in Preston and Lancashire brought forward

The Covid vaccine for eligible people in Preston and Lancashire is being brought forward.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) say the risks caused by the new BA.2.86 variant mean pre-emptive measures need to be taken.

Covid-19 and flu vaccination programmes were due to start in October but at-risk people will now start receiving the jabs from 11 September.

Senior responsible officer for the Lancashire and South Cumbria Covid-19 vaccination programme Jane Scattergood said: “While it may seem like COVID-19 is a thing of the past and it isn’t as high-profile as it was, it is still a dangerous illness that can have life-threatening impacts for the most vulnerable people in our society.

“We would encourage everyone who is invited to receive an autumn booster to get one. It is the best way to protect yourself against the disease and the new variant.”

People prioritised for the Autumn booster will be residents in older adult care homes.

Regional director of commissioning and senior responsible officer for Covid-19 vaccination programme for NHS England (North West) Dr Linda Charles-Ozuzu said: “Vaccinations are our best defence against flu and COVID-19 ahead of what could be a very challenging winter.

“In line with the latest expert advice, we’ll now be starting vaccination earlier than originally planned and NHS teams across the north west will accelerate delivery of the programme to ensure as many eligible people as possible are vaccinated by the end of October.

“Once eligible people receive their invitations, I’d urge them to come forward as soon as possible to get their vital protection against both COVID-19 and flu.”

Who is eligible for the flu vaccine?

those aged 65 years and over
those aged 6 months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book, chapter 19 (Influenza))
pregnant women
all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2023
school-aged children (from Reception to Year 11)
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 and those that are employed by those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets, such as Personal Assistants

Who is eligible for the Autumn Covid-19 vaccine?

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 laid out in the Immunisation Green Book, COVID-19 chapter (Green Book)
frontline health and social care workers
persons aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts (as defined in the Green Book) of people with immunosuppression
persons aged 16 to 64 years who are carers (as defined in the Green Book) and staff working in care homes for older adults.