Millions urged to get flu and Covid vaccines as bookings open amid 'tripledemic' fears

Those eligible for the flu and Covid-19 vaccines have been urged to come forward for their jabs to help ease pressure on the NHS during its busiest period.

Bookings will open for the booster vaccines from 9am on Monday (September 23), with patients able to book appointments through the NHS website, app, or by calling 119. Health service officials have reminded the millions of people who will qualify for the vaccines that they can be "life-saving", amid concerns from NHS England over a so-called "tripledemic" of flu, Covid-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) this winter.

Those eligible for an autumn Covid booster include adults over 65, care home residents, staff, frontline health and social care workers, and people in clinical risk groups, including pregnant women. Meanwhile, flu jabs will be given from October 3 to those 65 and over, along with people aged 18 to 65 in clinical risk groups and patients in long-stay residential homes, and frontline social care workers will also be eligible as well as people who provide care for elderly or disabled people.

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Michelle Kane, director for vaccinations at NHS England, said: "The flu and Covid-19 vaccines can be life-saving and are our best defences against these viruses - and it takes just a few minutes to book online or via the NHS App or 119, so I would urge everyone eligible to do so, to protect themselves and people around them.

"We know that these vaccinations help more people keep well and stay out of hospital during the winter months, which is especially important at a time when the NHS is expected to be under a lot of pressure. It is therefore vital that everyone eligible comes forward when invited."

The latest rollout comes after pregnant women, toddlers and school children up to year 11 were invited to book flu vaccines, along with all youngsters from six months to 18 in clinical risk groups. The NHS is also offering an RSV vaccine this autumn for the first time, which is available to women from the 28th week of pregnancy to protect their newborns, as well as older people aged 75 to 79.

RSV is a common cause of coughs and colds, and infections usually get better on their own, but it can sometimes prove serious for babies and older adults. Almost all children get an RSV infection at least once before the age of two, according to the NHS website, but some babies have a higher risk of becoming seriously ill, including those under six months old, young children who were born prematurely, and those with a weakened immune system.

Dr Julie Yates, deputy director for immunisation programmes at the UK Health Security Agency, added: "Many people who are more vulnerable to getting a severe illness from respiratory viruses like flu and Covid-19 are not aware they are at greater risk and eligible for these vaccines.

"If you are pregnant or have a certain long-term condition you should be offered the vaccines - if unsure, please speak with a trusted nurse or doctor. Older people and younger children with flu are also much more likely to get hospitalised and should also get the vaccines they are eligible for as soon as possible to ensure they are protected as we head into winter."