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JABS UP

Millions more eligible to book autumn Covid boosters now as cases surge – are you on the list?

By Sam Blanchard
13th October 2022, 12:01 am
Updated: 13th October 2022, 10:36 am

ALL over-50s will be able to book their flu and Covid boosters online for the first time – with hundreds of sites offering the shots together.

The NHS booking system opens on Friday to everyone eligible for the autumn top-ups.
PA
Around 26million Brits are eligible for a Covid booster and 33m can get a free flu jab

Clinics have so far only invited over-65s and high-risk groups for the vaccines.

Health chiefs are urging Brits aged 50 to 64 to get both jabs to head off a winter “twindemic” of Covid and flu.

Seven million people have already had an Omicron booster but this move will open bookings to a further 12m, while 33m are eligible for a free flu jab.

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Amanda Pritchard, chief of NHS England, said: “The rollout is off to a flying start – we have invited and jabbed twice as many people as we did last autumn.

“This could be an extremely challenging winter for the NHS so it is vital to get your protection against both Covid and flu. 

“Please come forward and book in when you can.”

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Patients visiting 200 vaccination sites will be offered both jabs at once – one in each arm.

The rollout widens as coronavirus cases are rising, with 1.3million infections across the UK at the end of September.

Hospital patient numbers in England have doubled this month and an average of 1,129 people were admitted with Covid every day last week.

Some hospitals are bringing back mask-wearing to keep cases down.

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New coronavirus jabs boost protection against Omicron and the flu vaccines are based on strains found in Australia earlier in the year.

Head of the NHS vaccine rollout, Steve Russell, said: “Vaccinations are our strongest weapon against these viruses and NHS staff are once again doing all they can to protect the public.”

People can also book their vaccines via their local GP practice or by phoning 119.

Who is eligible for a vaccine?

  • All adults aged 50 and over (flu + Covid)
  • Clinically vulnerable people aged 5 to 49 (flu + Covid)
  • Frontline health and care workers (flu + Covid)
  • Home contacts of people with weak immune systems (flu + Covid)
  • Care home residents (flu + Covid)
  • Pre- and primary school children (flu only)
  • Pregnant women (flu only)
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