MILLIONS of children and adults across the North West will be offered vaccinations to fight off winter illnesses including flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) this winter as the NHS sets out plans for protection ahead of winter.

From 1 September, pregnant women and all children aged two to 16 are eligible for the flu vaccine, expanding to six months to 18 years old for those in clinical risk groups.

The vaccines provide vital protection to keep people from developing serious illnesses and ending up in hospital during busy winter months.

Last winter, according to data published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the NHS treated more people poorly with flu than in the previous two years.  The flu vaccine however is estimated to have prevented around 100,000 people from being hospitalised.

While this is encouraging, health experts like Dr Linda Charles-Ozuzu, Regional Director of Commissioning and Senior Responsible Officer for the regions vaccination programme for NHS England in the North West says more people could have been protected if more eligible people came forward for free vaccinations.

She said, “Across the North West region we saw a fall in vaccine uptake across all our most vulnerable groups including people over the age of 65, those living with long term health conditions and young children.

“Over the next few weeks general practices and community pharmacy teams will start inviting eligible people to come forward to make appointments for winter vaccinations when the programme starts to rollout in September and I would encourage people to come forward early to ensure they are protected as soon as possible.”

Most school-aged children will receive their flu vaccinations at school to help stop the virus spreading but younger children and those who miss their school or nursery session can get their vaccine at a GP practice or community clinic.  Pregnant women can also get their jab from 1 September at their scheduled maternity appointment or by booking in at their GP practice or local community pharmacy.

The NHS National Booking System also opens today for all other eligible individuals to book their winter flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, with appointments starting from Wednesday 1 October.  This year, COVID-19 vaccinations are available to adults aged 75 and over, older adult care home residents, and people who are immunosuppressed.

Flu season usually peaks in December and January, so starting adult vaccinations from October will ensure those most at risk are protected during the colder months when people gather indoors and viruses spread.

Dr Paula Cowan, GP and Regional Medical Director for Primary Care at NHS England in the North West said, “Winter vaccinations are our best defence against viruses and can be lifesaving – so I would urge everyone eligible to book their jabs when they become available, to protect themselves and people around them.

“These viruses leave thousands of people in hospital each year, and the vaccinations help us to keep more people well during the winter months when we expect the NHS to again be under significant pressure – so please come forward as soon as you are invited.”

Adult vaccination appointments will be available through the NHS App and website, or by calling 119 for free. Flu vaccines will also be available through local GP practices and pharmacies.

The nasal flu vaccine is the most effective vaccine for children aged 2-17 years but if this is not suitable the GP or practice nurse may be able to offer a flu vaccine injection as an alternative. 

Eligible people are being urged to take up the vaccination offer as soon as they can to ensure protection ahead of the peak winter virus season, with evidence from UKHSA suggesting the flu season usually peaks in December and January. This means starting adult vaccinations from October will ensure those most at risk are protected during the colder months when people gather indoors and viruses spread.

Last winter NHS services experienced a mix of seasonal viruses including COVID-19, flu, norovirus and RSV, which is why last month the NHS issued a call for pregnant women to come forward for their RSV jabs to help protect their babies due this winter against respiratory viruses.

The RSV vaccine was offered to pregnant women and older adults in England for the first time last September and has now helped to protect more than two million eligible people since the rollout kicked off.

Pregnant mums from 28 weeks onwards can access the RSV jab through their maternity services, or alongside older adults aged 75, via their local GP practice or selected community pharmacies delivering the vaccines.

The RSV vaccine is delivered year-round and can be given at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine, but it is recommended to be given separately to the flu vaccine for greater effectiveness.