This year’s winter flu and Covid-19 vaccine programme has been brought forward by several weeks after a new Covid-19 variant was identified in the UK, the Government has announced.
Older people in care homes, the clinically vulnerable, those aged 65 and over, health and social care staff, and carers will be able to receive Covid-19 vaccines from 11 September.
The Government said the flu vaccine would be available to these groups at the same time ‘wherever possible’.
The ‘precautionary measure’ is being taken as scientists from the UK Health Security Agency examine the BA.2.86 variant, which was first detected in the UK on 18 August.
BA.2.86 has a high number of mutations but is not currently classified as a variant of concern.
The vaccination programme had been due to start in early October because a short time between vaccination and exposure to the viruses is thought to offer the best protection, the Department of Health and Social Care has said.
The chairman of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) community wellbeing board, Cllr David Fothergill, said: ‘The threat of new variants still remains a concern, particularly for those who are more vulnerable in our communities.
‘Councils and their directors of public health will again be doing all they can to work with NHS partners to support the take up of the booster vaccination rollout.
‘As well as this, providers in the domiciliary care and care home sector are also being encouraged to communicate the benefits of the flu vaccine and Covid booster to care home staff, residents and those receiving homecare.’
