'Twindemic' fears see Covid and flu vaccines rolled out ahead of 'Pirola autumn'
In a bid to stave off a potential 'Twindemic', England has launched the rollout of both Covid and flu vaccines from today, prioritising care home residents and the housebound.
The early start to the Covid and flu vaccination programme comes in response to the detection of a new variant of Covid on UK soil. The variant, BA.2.86, while not yet classified as a 'variant of concern', is under close scrutiny by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) due to its high number of mutations.
From next week, adults in the general population who are eligible for both Covid and flu vaccines - including those aged 65 and over, individuals in at-risk groups, and the immunosuppressed - will begin receiving invitations from the NHS to get their jabs. Eligible groups can book their vaccinations from September 18 via the NHS website, the NHS App, or by calling 119. Additionally, GP surgeries and other local NHS services are reaching out to people to offer the vaccines.
Vaccine programmes have already been initiated in Scotland, while Wales will commence its rollout concurrently with England, and Northern Ireland officially begins its programme on September 18. NHS England is urging the public to get both jabs to prevent a possible "twindemic" of flu and Covid, which could exert immense pressure on the health service.
NHS director of vaccinations and screening Steve Russell said: “The NHS flu and Covid vaccination programmes have been very effective in protecting those at greatest risk and we will work at speed to ensure they are protected once again this year, starting with care homes and those who are housebound today.
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“With concerns arising over new Covid variants, it’s 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. NHS staff have worked hard to ensure services are ready for patients to get jabbed at an earlier stage so they can get their protection as soon as possible.”
Recent developments have seen unlinked cases of the BA.2.86 variant detected across various regions, suggesting community circulation of the variant. A late August outbreak of Covid in a Norfolk care home resulted in 33 out of 38 residents testing positive for the virus, along with 12 staff members, according to the UKHSA.
Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at the UKHSA, said: “Older people and those in clinical risk groups remain at highest risk of serious illness from Covid-19. She said: "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."
Children aged two to 17 will also be able to have flu vaccinations from next week. The UKHSA is urging parents to fill out the consent forms for the nasal spray vaccine, which is administered at school and via GP surgeries.
* This article was crafted with the help of an AI tool, which speeds up The Mirror's editorial research. An editor reviewed this content before it was published. You can report any errors to [email protected]
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