The NHS England letter states:
- From 11 September vaccination providers would begin vaccinating care home residents, with the intention of completing all care homes by 22 October.
- Also, from 11 September local booking systems would open to eligible patients, offering co-administration of flu and covid jabs, with those most at risk prioritised for vaccination.
- From 18 September the national booking system should open, including sending invitations out to eligible people.
Separately to the above letter, it was announced that the national system for sending invites is working to the following dates:
- W/C 18 September – Parents of 2-3 year olds.
- W/C 25 September – People aged 75 and over.
- W/C 2 October – People aged 62 to 74 years old.
- W/C 9 October – People aged 12 to 61 years old and chasers to earlier cohorts.
NHS England had previously indicated that flu vaccinations should not start until October in order to start at the same time as Covid vaccinations and facilitate co-administration. This was challenged by the BMA’s GPC England who represent the profession on nationally decided matters, before the decision was superseded by the BA2.86 announcement.
- Covid-19 vaccination: autumn programme resources
- Covid ES service spec
- NHS staff facing covid vax campaign resources
- Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programme enhanced service 2022/23: additional guidance on recording of flu vaccination events, payments and collaboration
- Covid-19 and seasonal influenza vaccination programme standard contract schedules
- Covid-19 ES (with Synergistic Seasonal Influenza [and/or] co-administration) Vaccination Collaboration Agreement
- UKHSA briefing on Covid variant BA2.86
Guidance for patients
- Patient-facing Covid campaign resources
- Patient-facing flu campaign resources
- UKHSA guidance for people who are at higher risk from Covid
Training for practice immuniser
We are running our annual immunisation update on the morning of 1 November. The training runs online and covers all the latest vaccination changes, including Covid, flu, shingles and the London MMR catch-up campaign.