More than 1.8 million life-saving winter vaccinations have been delivered by the region’s vaccination teams, making this the fastest NHS flu vaccine roll out on record.

In the North West, more than one million flu jabs and 800,000 covid jabs have been given, with more than a quarter of a million of them being delivered in the same appointment, as vaccine providers make it as convenient as possible for people to get protected ahead of winter.

On Monday the COVID-19 national booking system opened up for those eligible to book their flu vaccinations, meaning people can now book appointments to have both flu and covid jabs at the same time.

This year has also seen the fastest ever rollout of covid vaccines to care homes by NHS teams, with more care homes visited in the first four weeks of this campaign than in previous rollouts. More than 80% of care homes in the region have been offered the jabs and vaccination teams are on track to offer the vaccine to all homes by the end of the month.

Despite these strong efforts, more eligible people are being urged to get their lifesaving winter jabs to reduce the risk of infection, as the number of patients in hospital with COVID-19 in England has hit a five-month high of 4,205 patients on 8 October – up 14% on the previous week.

People eligible for both winter vaccines include everyone aged 65 and over, those that are pregnant, those aged 6 months and above with certain health conditions, care home residents, frontline health and social care staff, unpaid carers and household contacts of people with a weakened immune system.

The autumn vaccination campaign is among a package of NHS measures to prepare for winter with the health service already facing immense pressure from ongoing industrial action, demand on emergency services, alongside the risk of a new covid variant, and common winter viruses.

Dr Linda Charles-Ozuzu, Regional Director of Commissioning and senior responsible officer for the COVID-19 vaccination programme for NHS England – North West, said: “It’s encouraging to see more than 1.8 million winter vaccinations have been delivered in the North West, protecting those most at risk from becoming seriously ill with viruses, including those in care homes.

“As the cold weathers draws in, and viruses like Covid and flu thrive, we recognise there is still work to be done to make sure as many people as possible are protected in our communities. If you or a family member is eligible but not yet had your winter vaccines, please come forward and book an appointment as quickly as possible.

“With hundreds of sites across the North West, and more than 100,000 appointments available to book on the national booking system this week, we’re continuing to make it as easy and convenient as possible for people to get protected.”

Even if people have previously had a vaccination or been ill with flu or COVID-19 before, immunity fades over time and these viruses change each year, so it is important people top up their protection.

All eligible adults can book their flu and COVID-19 vaccinations by visiting www.nhs.uk/seasonalvaccinations, on the NHS App or by calling 119. GP practices and other local NHS services will also be contacting people to offer both flu and covid vaccines, and people can book the flu vaccine by searching online for a local pharmacy.

In addition, all school aged children are being offered the flu vaccine through school or community clinics and children aged two or three years old can get the flu vaccine at their GP practice. The flu vaccine for children is usually given as a quick and painless nasal spray.

Covid vaccination bookings for eligible under 18s will begin later in the year, and the NHS will let families know when this offer opens.