Free flu jab extended to all over-50s in UK, Matt Hancock announces

Over 30 million people eligible for jabs in most comprehensive flu vaccination programme in UK history

Anyone aged 50 and above is now eligible for free flu jabs under new winter flu vaccination programme (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The Health Secretary has announced that anyone over the age of 50 will be offered free flu jabs from 1 December.

Matt Hancock announced that people aged 50-64 will be added to a list of people who are already eligible for a flu jab in England under an expanded winter vaccine scheme, which aims to combat the “twin threats” of flu and Covid-19.

Making the announcement on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Hancock said that as of 1 December, “if you’re over 50, you’re able to get a flu jab for free”.

“This hasn’t happened before, we’ve got twice as many flu jabs available this year. After the start of when coronavirus came on the scene in the spring, we went out and doubled the procurement of flu jabs because we know that if you get flu and Covid at the same time, it’s very, very dangerous,” he added.

In a government statement he said this winter would be a winter “like no other”, adding that the pandemic meant it was “more important than ever” that people get flu jabs.

This season’s flu vaccination programme is the most comprehensive in the UK’s history, with the vaccine being offered to more than 30 million people.

Professor Jonathan Van Tam, deputy chief medical officer, said in a statement: “As we approach the winter and cases of Covid-19 continue to rise, it is crucial we double down on efforts to vaccinate as many people as possible from flu.

“We have increased the number of people eligible for free flu jabs this year to reduce all avoidable risks and protect people from illness.”

He also reassured the public that all flu vaccines have undergone “robust clinical trials and rigorous checks” and are safe and effective.

Mr Hancock admitted that the task of administering huge numbers of flu jabs this winter was a “big ask” for the NHS, but told BBC Breakfast he hoped the process would be “relatively straightforward”.

“I don’t deny that it’s a huge amount to work for the NHS and I’m very grateful for the unbelievable shift they’ve pulled this year and we’ve still got to deliver this this winter,” he said.

“There are of course pressures on the NHS this year – by God there’s pressures, thanks to Covid – and for everybody who works in the NHS I want to say thank you for the work that you are doing.”