The newly approved bivalent Covid vaccine will be used for the first time in the autumn booster rollout in early September.
Following the recent approval and updated advice from the JCVI on Monday, plans are now in place for the next phase of the Covid vaccination programme.
Care home residents and people who are housebound will start being vaccinated from 5th September.
The booking service will also open that week for those most susceptible to serious illness and those over 75 to book appointments from 12 September. The oldest and most vulnerable will be able to book their jabs first.
Around 26 million people in England will be eligible for an autumn booster. The NHS will contact those eligible when it is their turn to book.
Those eligible may be offered the flu jab and the Covid jab at the same time.
NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard said: “The NHS was the first healthcare system in the world to deliver a COIVD-19 vaccine outside of clinical trials, and will now be the first to deliver the new, variant-busting vaccine when the rollout begins at the start of September.
“Our fantastic NHS staff have worked incredibly hard to deliver 126 million doses to date and behind the scenes they have once again been preparing to deliver the latest phase with the same speed and precision as we have had throughout the rollout.
“When the time comes, I would strongly encourage anyone who is invited to take up both an autumn booster and flu jab, to do so as quickly as possible – it will give you maximum protection this winter”.
NHS director for vaccinations and screening Steve Russell said: “This winter will be the first time we see the real effects of both COVID and flu in full circulation as we go about life as normal – and so it is vital that those most susceptible to serious illness from these viruses come forward for the latest jab in order to protect themselves.
“We know that our GPs and community pharmacies have been integral to the success of the NHS Vaccination Programme due to their locations and relationships with local communities, and so it is fantastic that so many have opted to be part of the latest phase of the campaign.
“The NHS will contact you when it is your turn to get an autumn booster and will be inviting the first people outside of a care home to book in ahead of the formal rollout in early September – please book in as quickly as possible when invited to give yourself protection this winter”.
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