NHS staff deliver more than 1.8 million Covid and flu jabs in North East and Yorkshire

Across England, a total of 3,794,214 people have received their autumn Covid booster jab since the vaccine roll-out began on 3 October
-Credit: (Image: Getty)


NHS staff in the North East and Yorkshire have already administered over 1.8 million Covid and flu jabs this autumn.

The initial seasonal vaccination data reveals that 632,879 Covid-19 and 1,196,787 flu jabs have been given in this region as those eligible step forward to get protected.

Across England, a total of 3,794,214 people have received their autumn Covid booster jab since the vaccine roll-out began on 3 October, while 6,915,744 people have had a flu jab since 1 September.

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NHS vaccination teams have completed first visits to half (833) of the region’s approximately 1,650 older adult care homes. To help halt the virus spreading as schools returned, flu jabs have been available for pregnant women and children since the beginning of September and are now rolled out to all remaining eligible groups.

NHS teams in the North East and Yorkshire have been busy since the start of September, vaccinating eligible individuals against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), a common cause of coughs and colds that can lead to serious lung infections such as pneumonia and infant bronchiolitis. These conditions are particularly dangerous for older people and young children.

In the North East and Yorkshire alone, 122,626 people have received an RSV vaccination since 1 September, while across England, the figure stood at 714,699 by 13 October.

The NHS is offering pregnant women and older adults the RSV vaccination, with those turning 75 on or after 1 September included in the vaccination programme. Pregnant women are advised to speak to their maternity service about getting the RSV vaccine from 28 weeks until birth, or they can request it at their local GP practice. Older adults will receive invitations from their local GP practice.

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NHS North East and Yorkshire Regional Medical Director Dr Hamish McLure said: "Ahead of winter, NHS vaccination teams are working hard to protect people who are at the greatest risk from those viruses which cause most harm during winter, including Covid-19, flu, and RSV.

“Protection from previous flu and Covid-19 vaccines fades, and the viruses change over time, so people should make sure they’re ready for winter by getting vaccinated. Getting your vaccines means your symptoms will be milder and you’ll recover faster if you run into these viruses this winter.”

Those who are eligible can arrange for a Covid-19 or flu jab appointment through the NHS website, the NHS App, or by dialling 119. The flu jab can also be scheduled by looking up a local pharmacy online, and walk-in sites are available for the Covid-19 jab.

Check if you're eligible

People are eligible for a Covid-19 and flu vaccination if they:

  • are aged 65 or over

  • are pregnant

  • are aged 6 months to 64 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book)

  • live in a care home for older adults

  • are a frontline health and social care worker, including those working in care homes for older adults.

Those also eligible for a flu vaccine include:

  • carers in receipt of carer’s allowance or are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person

  • close contacts of immunocompromised individuals

  • all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024

  • primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6) and secondary school aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11)

  • all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years

  • frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme, including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and those that are employed by those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets, such as Personal Assistants.

To receive the RSV vaccine, pregnant women at least 28 weeks pregnant should speak to their maternity service or GP practice, and women aged 75-79 should wait to be invited for their vaccine by their GP practice.