Over-50s invited to book Covid autumn booster and flu jab

All over-50s will be eligible to book in for their autumn Covid booster and flu vaccination from tomorrow, NHS England has announced.

Patients can book their Covid booster via the National Booking Service and, as part of a pilot including 200 sites, some patients will also be able to use the system to book their flu jab for the first time.

Eligible patients can also contact their GP or a participating pharmacy to book their flu vaccination.

NHS director of vaccinations and screening Steve Russell said: ‘While sites are co-administering the flu and Covid vaccines where possible, people may be required to book two separate appointments for the different vaccines.’

According to NHS England, over seven million autumn Covid boosters have so far been administered to over-65s, health and care workers and people with underlying health conditions.

The opening up of the over-50s cohort means another 12 million people becoming eligible.

It follows warnings from UK public health officials that this year’s flu season is likely to be severe and strike early. UKHSA has also said there is the potential for a ‘twindemic’ with Covid and flu both expected to circulate widely.

NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard said: ‘We have invited twice as many people as we did last autumn, and we have jabbed twice as many people as we did last autumn.

‘As we approach what could be an extremely challenging winter for the NHS, it is vital to get your protection against both Covid and flu so please come forward and book in when you can.’

It comes as the Covid autumn wave has hit England, with data from the ZOE study suggesting as many as one-in-32 people could be infected, while hospital admissions are also on the rise.