The NHS winter vaccine programme has begun with residents of older adult care homes and people who are housebound to receive their covid and flu vaccines from Monday.

The programme was brought forward following advice from the JCVI on the emergence of a new variant.

Other eligible groups will start to be invited for their vaccines from next week.

3,500 sites are to take part in the campaign this year.

The NHS is encouraging people to get vaccinated as soon as they can.

Vaccine providers will be given an additional payment of £10 for each covid vaccination they administer to care home residents between 11 September to 22 October 2023. They will also be given a separate one-off payment of £200 for each completed care home by the end of 22 October 2023.

For other eligible groups, vaccine providers will receive an additional £5 acceleration payment for each covid vaccination administered to eligible people between 11 September and 31 October 2023.

NHS director of vaccinations and screening, Steve Russell said: “The NHS flu and covid vaccination programmes have been very effective in protecting those at greatest risk and we will work at speed to ensure they are protected once again this year, starting with care homes and those who are housebound today.

“With concerns arising over new covid variants, it’s vital we adapt the programme and bring it forward for those most at risk, and so I strongly urge everyone eligible to come forward as soon as they can for this important protection in colder months.

“NHS staff have worked hard to ensure services are ready for patients to get jabbed at an earlier stage so they can get their protection as soon as possible”.

Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency said: “Older people and those in clinical risk groups remain at highest risk of serious illness from covid-19.

“The rollout of this year’s autumn booster begins in care homes today, with more eligible groups being invited to get protected over the coming weeks.

“The vaccine continues to provide the best protection against serious illness and hospitalisation from covid-19, so please make sure you get vaccinated when offered and encourage loved ones who are eligible to do the same”.

Image by Arek Socha from Pixabay