Flu jabs rolled out for pregnant women and children in England ahead of winter
Millions of pregnant women and children to receive flu jabs
- The NHS has commenced its free flu vaccination programme for children and pregnant women across England from Monday, with a pilot scheme also rolling out in nursery schools.
- All children aged two to sixteen, along with those aged six months to eighteen in clinical risk groups, are eligible for the vaccine, which can be administered at schools, nurseries, or GP surgeries.
- From October, the programme will expand to include individuals over 65, those in clinical risk groups, care home staff, health and social care workers, and close contacts of immunosuppressed people.
- The initiative aims to prevent a repeat of last winter, when flu caused over 300,000 hospital bed days and led to critical incidents at more than a dozen UK hospitals.
- Health officials are urging eligible individuals to get vaccinated promptly to protect themselves and alleviate pressure on the NHS during the winter months.