NHS staff in the North West have delivered more than 1 million covid and flu vaccinations (1,288,725) since 1 September, as the NHS ramps up its efforts to avoid a tripledemic this winter. 

The first seasonal vaccination data out today shows more than a million COVID-19 or flu vaccines have been given in the region (449,740 COVID-19 and 838,985 flu vaccinations administered w/e 13 October) as those eligible come forward to get their protection.

COVID-19 jabs were rolled out to those eligible on 3 October, and in just ten days since then, NHS staff have delivered almost half a million vaccines (449,740 from 3 to 13 October).

Flu jabs have been available for pregnant women and children since 1 September to help stop the virus spreading as schools returned and are now fully rolled out across the country to all remaining eligible groups.

The flu vaccine is the best defence for those most at risk as the weather gets colder and more people gather indoors, with the total number of these jabs given this autumn now at over 800,000.

Across the North West, NHS staff have worked hard to devise innovative ways of delivering vaccinations to make it as easy as possible for people to receive their jabs.

Dr Linda Charles-Ozuzu, Regional Director of Commissioning for NHS England – North West, said:  “The latest data highlights the incredible hard work of NHS staff in successfully rolling out winter vaccinations across the region in a bid to protect those who are most vulnerable as we move towards the colder months.

“From general practice, community pharmacy and colleagues working in hospitals and in the community across our region, they are all coming together to arm as many people as possible with the best protection this winter.”

In Cheshire and Merseyside, the Living Well Service, delivered by Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, operates on a fully drop-in service and provides routine immunisations, including flu and COVID-19, health checks and wider wellbeing guidance travelling to the heart of our communities.

In Lancashire and South Cumbria, as well as having pop up walk-in clinics across the region, care home staff have been trained to deliver jabs to residents in their own spaces, and in Greater Manchester as well as a mobile outreach offer in areas of low uptake there are also specialist vaccination teams delivering calm clinics for residents with additional needs, or for those whom a busy clinic or pharmacy environment may present a significant barrier to accessing vaccination, offering longer appointment slots.

Anyone eligible can book a COVID-19 or flu vaccine appointment via the NHS website, NHS App, or by calling 119 for free. The flu vaccine can also be booked by searching online for a local pharmacy and there are walk in sites available to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

NHS teams have also worked with schools and educational centres across the country to deliver flu vaccinations to toddlers and school aged children outside of their GP practices – with more than 1 million vaccines delivered this autumn (1,260,296 vaccines).

UKHSA’s latest surveillance data shows an increase of COVID-19 and influenza hospitalisations as well as a rise in COVID-19 acute respiratory incidents (week 40).

Tricia Spedding, NHS England – North West Head of Public Health said: “Its been a good start to the vaccination programme this year, but we can always do better.

“Every year many of those at greatest risk of getting seriously ill from winter viruses do not get their vaccines, with many thousands ending up in hospital and far too many tragically dying.

“The threat of these viruses is real – and the best defence against these dangerous illnesses is vaccination.  It’s crucial that anyone eligible comes forward for their vaccine appointment when they can to protect themselves.

“Those with certain long term health conditions, pregnant women, young infants and older people will be among those eligible for some or all of these life saving vaccines.

“So if invited don’t delay – get the vaccines. And if you’re unsure if you’re eligible or have any concerns please do speak with your GP surgery or local pharmacist.”

You are eligible for a COVID-19 and flu vaccination if you:

• 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

In addition to the above, 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

For the first time in NHS history, vaccinations against RSV were also kicked off on 1 September for pregnant women and older adults. Since the rollout, there have been 82,305 RSV vaccinations administered to date across the North West.

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

Data on the NHS Autumn Vaccination campaign will be published weekly moving forward and can be found via the NHS website.