The general practice Seasonal Flu Enhanced Service for 24/25 runs from 1 September 2024 until 31 March 2025. There is no change in eligibility arrangements or vaccine recommendations from 23/24, however practices should note the change in timings based on Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommendations to account for waning protection over the winter season. The majority of adult patients will be immunised from 3 October, with only pregnant women and children starting from 1 September. Practices that wish to participate in the seasonal and childhood influenza vaccination programmes for 2024/25 must have already signed up to CQRS as specified in 4.5 of the Influenza enhanced service specification. Details of the vaccine stocks in use for the 24/25 season are available here, including a PDF poster detailing the type and packaging of the different flu stocks.
The following groups are eligible for the Seasonal Flu vaccine:
- everyone aged 65 years and over · everyone under 65 years of age who has a medical condition which makes them at increased clinical risk, including children and babies over 6 months of age
- all pregnant women, at any stage of pregnancy
- all children aged 2 and 3 years (provided they were aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August before flu vaccinations starts in the autumn)
- all children in primary school
- some secondary school-aged children (Years 7 to 11)
- everyone living in a residential or nursing home
- everyone who receives a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person
- all those living with someone who has lowered immunity due to disease or treatment
- all frontline health and social care workers
Further detail of groups who are eligible for the vaccine are available on the following website, including translated resources available for patients.
Campaign resources to support uptake amongst health and social care workers are available here.
The British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA) has updated their 2 resources which explain the benefits of flu vaccination, the Islamic position on taking up the vaccine, and how to weigh up whether your children should have the nasal spray vaccine given the porcine gelatine content and conflict with a halal diet. BIMA are happy to be contacted for any local queries on info@britishima.org and you can download these resources from their website.