NHS flu and covid vaccine programmes brought forward due to risk of new covid variant

NHS flu and covid vaccine programmes brought forward due to risk of new covid variant Millions of eligible people will now be offered a covid vaccine from 11 September, in line with the latest expert guidance on the new covid variant.

This change follows an announcement by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on the risks presented by the new BA.2.86 variant and pre-emptive measures the NHS has been asked to take.

The adult covid and flu vaccination programmes had been due to start in October to maximise protection over the winter months, but now those most at risk including adult care home residents will be vaccinated from 11 September. NHS England

See also:

• Flu and COVID autumn vaccine programmes brought forward Department of Health and Social Care
• Independent report: COVID-19 autumn 2023 vaccination programme: JCVI update Department of Health and Social Care
• Research and analysis: SARS-CoV-2: genome sequence prevalence and growth rate UK Health Security Agency