Flu and Covid-19 immunisation

Plans for autumn 2022

In 2020, annual flu jabs were offered to all those over 50 years of age because of concerns that the combination of coronavirus and flu infection may be particularly dangerous, and also because reducing flu infections may help to reduce pressure on the NHS and social care caused by dealing with coronavirus. 

Initially the intent for 2022/23 was to revert to vaccinating the over-65s but concerns about the early start of the flu season, with very high case rates occurring in Australia over 2022, and the potential for two significant respiratory viruses circulating together (a “twindemic”) led to the policy being amended in July 2022. Now, all those over 50 years of age will be targeted for immunisation with both flu and Covid-19 vaccines, alongside high-risk patients. 

Secondary school children in years seven, eight and nine will also be targeted for flu vaccines. At the time of writing, the process for supplying flu vaccines alongside Covid vaccine boosters, had yet to be decided. One option is to give them both at the same time. 

Community pharmacists are in a good position to use their patient medication records to target patients and remind them to have their jabs, or to administer them. Many pharmacies are now commissioned by the health service to provide flu jabs as well as Covid-19 vaccines, although access to supplies remains an issue.

Uptake of Covid-19 boosters continues to be an issue and pharmacy teams can refer to PM's article on vaccine hesitancy for further information.