NHS England has written to ICBs, Trusts, GPs, community pharmacies, primary care networks, local government chief executives and others with details of a joint vaccination programme for flu and COVID-19 this winter.
This follows the Health and Social Care Secretary's decision to accept the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s final advice that those at higher risk of severe COVID-19 should be offered a booster vaccination in the autumn.
NHS England say, in their letter:
- Eligible cohorts for the flu programme are as set out in the National flu immunisation programme 2023 to 2024 letter. The age cohorts for both vaccinations have been aligned to allow for co-administration, with those who are 65 by 31 March 2024 eligible.
- Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations for adults commence in October. The most up-to-date COVID-19 vaccine will be offered. Flu vaccines for children should start from September.
- Systems must commence vaccination for care home residents and care home staff from 2 October 2023, and other eligible flu and COVID cohorts from 7 October. Flu and COVID-19 vaccination for all cohorts should be completed by 15 December 2023.
- All systems should identify opportunities to maximise the offer of co-administration, subject to narrow clinical exceptions which will be set out.
- Where a patient wishes to receive flu vaccination in September, NHS England will permit payment claims to be submitted.
- To give maximum protection to frontline health social care workers and protect patients and residents, systems are asked to ensure convenient flu and COVID-19 vaccination opportunities are available from 7 October 2023. Staff will be able to self-declare on NBS and NHS England expects all systems to have communication plans in place to maximise uptake.
- The National Booking Service (NBS) will be opened for participating sites to post appointments from the 25 September 2023. NBS will be open for the public to book appointments, whether via NHS.uk, the NHS App or telephone, from 2 October 2023 in readiness for 7 October start. People will be able to book a joint flu and COVID-19 appointment.
- Systems are asked to maintain their focus on health inequalities and should continue to deliver engagement, outreach and pop-up clinics to support vaccination on underserved communities to 31 January 2024.
- There is more about children’s vaccination in the letter, which also has operational information for those involved in giving vaccinations.
The current collection of guidance on flu vaccination 2023-24 is here: Annual flu programme and COVID-19 vaccination, here: Collected guidance on COVID-19 vaccination.
