Residents of older adult care homes and people who are housebound will begin receiving their COVID-19 and flu vaccinations as of this week, as the NHS kickstarts its winter vaccinations campaign.

The adult COVID-19 and flu vaccination programme, which has been brought forward in line with expert advice due to the risks presented by a new covid variant, is prioritising those at

greatest risk.

Following on from the roll-out to care homes and people who are housebound from Monday 11 September, other eligible groups will begin to be invited to get their top up protection ahead of winter.

NHS staff across the South East have been working hard to prepare for the earlier start of the programme, with more than 600 sites expected to take part in the campaign this year to make it as easy as possible for people to get protection. This is an increase of over 200 sites from last year.

From 18 September, people will be able to book their COVID-19 vaccination through the National Booking Service (NBS), the NHS App or by calling 119. Equally, people will be able to use NBS to book their flu jabs from 2 October.

Eligible groups may be offered a vaccination sooner by GP surgeries or other local NHS services.

People are being encouraged to get both vaccinations as soon as they can and not delay, due to the risk of the new COVID-19 variant and ahead of the winter period.

Last year, the NHS faced the ‘twindemic’ of flu and covid with high occupancy in hospitals and record pressure on staff and plans for this winter are already underway.

Caroline Reid, Regional Director of Commissioning and SRO for the Flu and Covid vaccination programme across the South East, said: “The NHS flu and COVID-19 vaccination programmes have been very effective in protecting those at greatest risk over the past years, and we will continue work at speed to ensure that they are protected once again this year, starting with care homes and those who are housebound today.

“The programme has been adapted and brought forward for those most at risk due to the concerns arising over new covid variants, and so I would encourage anyone who is eligible for the vaccinations to come forward as soon as they can.

She added: “It is important for eligible people to top up their protection, even if they have had a vaccine or been ill with flu or COVID-19 before, as immunity fades over time and these viruses change each year. “

Dr Anand Fernandes, Health Protection Consultant for UK Health Security Agency South East, said: “As we continue to live with COVID-19 we expect to see new variants emerge. Thanks to the success of our vaccine programme, we have built strong, broad immune defences against new variants throughout the population. However, some people remain more vulnerable to severe illness from COVID-19. This precautionary measure to bring forward the autumn programme, along with the flu vaccination, will ensure these people have protection against any potential wave this winter.

“I would urge those who are eligible to come forward for the vaccine when you are called.”

As in previous years, children in reception to year 11 will be offered the free nasal spray flu vaccine, delivered in schools by immunisation teams in the region. Children aged 2 and 3 years (on or before 31 August) will be eligible for the free nasal spray via their GP practice.

The most effective vaccine for children is the nasal vaccine, which is even more convenient and easily administered when compared to a jab.

In total, more than 24 million COVID-19 vaccinations have now been given by healthcare staff and volunteers in the South East since the NHS delivered its first COVID-19 jab in December 2020.

Last year, the NHS carried out its second biggest ever flu vaccination campaign, with more than 3 million flu vaccinations given to adults and children in the region.