Key Points
The UK health authorities began rolling out their winter vaccine schedule for the most medically vulnerable on Monday, brought forward from a planned early October rollout amid concerns around the new COVID variant BA.2.86...
The National Health Service (NHS) said residents of older adult care homes and people who are housebound will begin receiving their COVID and flu vaccinations from this week and other high risk groups will begin to be invited to get their top up protection ahead of winter from next week...
In the meantime, it remains vital that all those eligible come forward to receive their autumn vaccine as soon as it is offered to them, she said.. NHS England said it is rolling out its adult COVID and annual flu vaccination programmes in tandem following pressures it faced with a twindemic of flu and COVID resulting in high occupancy in hospitals and record pressure on staff last year..
With concerns arising over new COVID variants, its vital we adapt the programme and bring it forward for those most at risk, and so I strongly urge everyone eligible to come forward as soon as they can for this important protection in colder months, said Steve Russell, NHS Director of Vaccinations and Screening...
Older people and those in clinical risk groups remain at highest risk of serious illness from COVID-19...The vaccine continues to provide the best protection against serious illness and hospitalisation from COVID-19, so please make sure you get vaccinated when offered and encourage loved ones who are eligible to do the same, added Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at UKHSA...
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