Eligible members of the public can now book vaccines to protect against a ‘tripledemic’ of COVID-19, flu and respiratory syncytial virus, officials in England have said.
People will be able to take a variety of shots over the next few weeks, depending on their particular risk, public health leaders announced in a statement.
Seasonal viruses including flu and RSV circulate every winter, while COVID-19 cases peak and trough more regularly.
Right now, levels of these viruses are relatively low, according to the UK Health Security Agency.
By vaccinating the most vulnerable against COVID-19, flu and RSV now, the country hopes to soften their blow over the colder months.
Winter viruses can be serious, even for healthy adults. Those in certain age groups or with pre-existing conditions are at an increased risk of experiencing severe symptoms and even death.
Catching more than one virus can be particularly dangerous. Research has shown contracting people who contract both flu and COVID-19 are more likely to experience severe symptoms and greater damage to their lungs.
Winter viruses also place a serious strain on England’s public health system, which is already facing multiple crises in emergency care, elective care and mental health care, as I documented in an investigation for The Lead last week.
Vaccination programs can help reduce the overall burden of these diseases, preventing many people from ending up in hospital, freeing up staff and beds.
Vaccines are available for COVID-19, flu and RSV, with those most at risk eligible for free shots.
Flu and COVID-19 shots are also available privately for people who don’t fall into a vulnerable group.
Who can get free vaccines?
Each vaccine has slightly different eligibility
The COVID-19 booster is open to:
- Adults aged 65 or older
- People living in elderly residential homes
- People aged with underlying health conditions aged 6 months to 64 years old
- Pregnant women
- Frontline health and social care workers and elderly care home staff
The free flu shot is available for:
- Those aged over 65
- Children aged up to 16, or up to 18 if they have an underlying condition
- Pregnant women
- Those aged over 18 with an underlying condition
- Carers and those in close contact with someone who has a weakened immune system
- Frontline health and social care staff
Details on what counts as an “underlying condition” can be found in the UKHSA’s “Green Book” on immunisation.
Eligible members of the public can book their flu and COVID-19 shots online, via a government app or by calling a dedicated phoneline (119). People who can get both shots will normally be offered them at the same time.
For the first time, England is also running a vaccination campaign against RSV. The free shot is available to pregnant women from 28 weeks and people aged between 75 and 79.
Giving the vaccine to pregnant women can help protect a growing fetus. This is particularly important because young infants are vulnerable to RSV.
People eligible for all three vaccines will be given RSV on a different day to the other two, which can be given together.
‘Life-Saving’ Proctection
“Many people who are more vulnerable to getting a severe illness from respiratory viruses like flu and COVID-19 are not aware they are at greater risk,” said UKHSA’s deputy director for immunisation programmes, Dr Julie Yates.
But the shots can be “life-saving,” added National Health Service director of vaccinations Michelle Kane. They “are our best defences against these viruses,” and will “help more people keep well and stay out of hospital during the winter months,” she said.
