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Authorities are urging people who are eligible for flu and COVID-19 vaccinations to come forward to get the jab in a bid to ease pressure on health services ahead of winter.
The announcement comes as NHS England fears a so-called “triple pandemic” of influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Bookings open to millions of people from 9am on Monday and can be made via the NHS website, app or by calling 119.
Flu vaccinations will be available from October 3rd to people aged 65 and over, people aged 18 to 65 who belong to clinical risk groups, and patients in long-term care facilities.
This will also include frontline social care workers and those caring for the elderly and disabled.
We know that these vaccinations will help keep more people healthy and out of hospital over the winter, which is particularly important at a time when the NHS is expected to be under significant strain.
Michelle Kane, NHS England
Those eligible for the COVID-19 booster vaccination in the autumn will be people in clinical risk groups, including adults aged 65 and over, care home residents and staff, frontline health and social care workers and pregnant women.
Michelle Cain, director of vaccinations at NHS England, said: “The flu and COVID-19 vaccines can save lives and are our best defence against these viruses. It takes just a few minutes to book online, on the NHS app or on 119, so we encourage everyone who is eligible to book to protect themselves and those around them.”
“We know that these vaccinations will help keep more people healthy and out of hospital over the winter, which is particularly important at a time when the NHS is expected to be under significant strain, so it’s vital that everyone who is eligible goes ahead and gets vaccinated when invited.”
The latest vaccination rollout comes after pregnant women, young children, school children up to Year 11 and all young people aged six months to 18 years who are in clinical risk groups were invited to book in for a flu vaccine.
The NHS will also be offering the RSV vaccine for the first time this autumn.
The vaccine can be given to women from the 28th week of pregnancy and to people aged 75 to 79 to protect their newborns.
Dr Julie Yates, deputy director of the vaccination programme at the UK Health Security Agency, added: “Many people who are vulnerable to severe illness from respiratory viruses like influenza and COVID-19 are unaware that they are at greater risk or that they are eligible for these vaccines.”
“Pregnant women and people with certain chronic conditions are encouraged to get vaccinated, and if you have any questions, please speak to a trusted nurse or doctor.”
“Older people and young children who contract influenza are also most likely to be hospitalized, so to protect them as we head into winter, they should get the vaccine as soon as they are eligible.”
