Flu
This year’s seasonal flu campaign will launch in two stages and everyone who is eligible for the free vaccine is advised to book an appointment as soon as possible. From 1 September, the vaccine will be offered to:
- pregnant women
- children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024
- all primary school aged children
- secondary school aged children up to year 11
- children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years.
It will be available from GP practices and pharmacies, however school-aged children will receive a nasal spray vaccination at school, or a catch-up clinic and midwives will offer flu vaccines to pregnant women at some antenatal clinics. Others including older adults can receive the vaccine from October. The national booking service will open for all those eligible on 23 September.
See more information including a list of eligible groups on the Gov.UK website.
New respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination programmes
A new RSV programme is launching in September.
RSV is a major respiratory virus, common in winter. Symptoms are mild for many but can be severe in older adults (around 9,000 hospitalisations a year) and children under five (around 30,000 hospitalisations in the UK a year).
Programme for older adults aged 75 to 79 years old
All adults turning 75 years old on or after 1 September 2024 will be eligible for the RSV vaccine and will be invited to make an appointment by their GP practice. A one-off catch-up campaign for those already aged 75 to 79 years old on 1 September 2024 will be undertaken at the earliest opportunity.
Programme for pregnant women to protect infants
All women who are at least 28 weeks pregnant on 1 September 2024, will be offered the RSV vaccine. After that, pregnant women will become eligible as they reach 28 weeks and remain eligible up to birth. Those who are eligible should speak to their maternity service or GP surgery to get the vaccine, which will provide vital protection for their baby.