Flu and Covid vaccines 2024/25

For the 2024/25 flu programme the JCVI have advised moving the start of the programme for most adults to the beginning of October. This change in timing is based on the evidence that the flu vaccine’s effectiveness can wane over time in adults.   Pregnant women are an exception to the advice on a later start date and will be offered the vaccine in September.    

Protection from the vaccine lasts much longer in children, therefore the priority is to start vaccinating all children (including those in clinical risk groups) from September as soon as vaccines become available. 

 

Flu Vaccine Eligibility 2024

  • Those aged 65 years and over
  • Those aged 6 months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups
  • Pregnant women
  • All children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024
  • All primary school aged children (from reception to Year 11)
  • Those in long-stay residential care homes
  • Carers
  • Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
50 to 64 year olds that are not in a clinically at-risk group are NOT eligible for a free flu vaccine this year, patients in this group as with all healthy over 18s can pay for a flu jab at most pharmacies.  
 

UMC's Flu Plan

We plan to co-administer flu and covid boosters to our elderly and vulnerable patients and offer some flu and covid appointments to all other eligible groups.  

Flu & Covid Appointments

  • Saturday 5th October
  • Saturday 12th October
  • Saturday 19th OCtober

Flu ONLY Appointments

  • Saturday 5th October
  • Tuesday 8th October (evening)
  • Thursday 10th October (evening)
  • Saturday 12th October
  • Thursday 17th October (evening)
  • Saturday 19th October

Child flu vaccinations - nasal spray

All children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024 and those 6 months to 17yrs with underlying conditions - will be invited to make an appointment at UMC

All other school aged children up to year 11 will receive their nasal flu vaccine at school.

Please note the nasal spray contains porcine gelatine, for those parents who object to this the injectable vaccine can be used as an alternative – please inform UMC when booking your appointment. 

For more details please see the NHS Child Flu webpage 

Eligible patients will be contacted when appointment are available to book

 

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine programme starting September 2024

The aim of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination programme is to reduce the incidence and severity of RSV disease, and hospitalisation as a result of RSV disease in infants and eligible older adults.

All adults turning 75 years of age on or after 1 September 2024 (born on or after 1 September 1949) should be offered RSV vaccination on or shortly after their 75th birthday.  Leaflet 

All pregnant women should be offered the RSV vaccination from week 28 of their pregnancy.  Leaflet 

 

updated  03/09/2024