The NHS in England began its autumn rollout of COVID and flu vaccines for older adults, care home residents and people with long term health conditions on Thursday 3 October 2024, as part of its drive to protect against a "tripledemic" of winter viruses1. Those eligible have been able to book appointments since Monday 23 September, and the NHS says it has already invited over 11 million people to come forward1.
The programme covers COVID, flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Flu vaccinations for children and pregnant women started earlier, on 1 September, to help stop the virus spreading as schools returned1. The RSV jab is available to those aged 75 to 79 and to pregnant women from 28 weeks, to protect their child1. The NHS says flu season usually peaks in December and January, so starting adult vaccinations from October ensures those most at risk are protected during the colder months when people gather indoors and viruses spread1.
The eligible groups, as set out by the NHS in line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, are:
| Flu vaccine, from 1 September | Flu vaccine, from 3 October | Autumn COVID booster |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnant women | Those aged 65 and over | Residents in a care home for older adults |
| All children aged 2 or 3 on 31 August 2024 | Those aged 18 to under 65 in clinical risk groups | All adults aged 65 and over |
| Primary school aged children (Reception to Year 6) | Those in long-stay residential care homes | Persons aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, including pregnant women |
| Secondary school aged children (Year 7 to Year 11) | Carers in receipt of carer's allowance, or main carers of an elderly or disabled person | Frontline health and social care workers and staff in care homes for older adults |
| All children in clinical risk groups aged 6 months to under 18 | Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals | |
| Frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme |
Source: NHS England1
The NHS said new figures from the UK Health Security Agency showed that over the past two winters there have been at least 18,000 deaths associated with flu and over 19,500 deaths associated with COVID-191. Steve Russell, NHS national director for vaccinations and screening, said:
"With the risk of a 'tripledemic' of winter viruses, COVID, flu and RSV, if you are pregnant or aged 75 to 79, it is also so important that you join those who have protected themselves against RSV in the last month to boost your or your child's protection against a very nasty illness."
Why it matters for households
Households with members in the eligible groups can book now rather than wait for an invitation: the NHS says those eligible do not have to wait to receive an invitation to be able to book1. Appointments can be booked via the NHS website, the NHS App, or by calling 119 for free1. The flu vaccine can also be booked by searching online for a local pharmacy, and walk in sites are available for the COVID-19 vaccine1. GP practices and other local NHS services will also contact people to offer both vaccines1.
Julie Yates, UKHSA's Deputy Director of Immunisation Programmes, said many of those at greater risk of getting seriously ill from winter viruses are not getting their vaccines, with many thousands ending up in hospital and "far too many tragically dying"1. She said those invited for a flu, RSV or COVID-19 jab are invited because they are at greater risk, and advised: "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"1.
The NHS describes the rollout as protecting against a "tripledemic" of COVID, flu and RSV, and says the vaccines could prevent thousands of A&E attendances, hospital admissions and serious cases this winter alone1. Local delivery varies: the NHS cites a pharmacy team in Wolverhampton offering vaccinations from a mobile unit in a Sainsbury's car park, 23 care homes across NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria delivering vaccinations with their own staff, and a fully booked COVID-19 pop-up clinic at Sandal Rugby Club in Wakefield1.
What happens next
Adult vaccinations began on 3 October 2024, with flu season usually peaking in December and January1. The NHS says hundreds of thousands of appointment slots remain available1. No closing date for the autumn programme is given in the announcement1.
For more detail, see the guide to vaccines that protect against outbreaks, who can get a COVID-19 vaccine now and how the UK plans for pandemics.
Vaccines Against Outbreaks
Who Can Get a COVID-19 Vaccine
Pandemics and UK Household Plans
