Flu and COVID-19 Vaccinations

The NHS influenza (flu) immunisation programme 2022 to 2023

For the last 2 years during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the UK has had the largest NHS flu vaccination programme ever. We have also seen some of the best flu vaccine uptake levels, with more people vaccinated than ever before.

As a result of non-pharmaceutical interventions in place for COVID-19 (such as mask-wearing, reduced social interactions and international travel) flu levels were extremely low globally in 2020 to 2021. As social contact returns to pre-pandemic norms there is likely to be a resurgence in flu in winter 2022 to 2023 to levels similar to or higher than before the pandemic.

Flu Eligibilty

Groups eligible for flu vaccination are based on the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The programme aims to provide direct protection to those who are at higher risk of flu associated morbidity and mortality and to reduce transmission to all age groups.

  • all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2022
  • all primary school aged children (from reception to Year 6)
  • those aged 6 months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups
  • pregnant women
  • those aged 65 years and over
  • those in long-stay residential care homes
  • carers
  • close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
  • frontline staff employed by the following types of social care providers without employer led occupational health schemes:
  • a registered residential care or nursing home
  • registered domiciliary care provider
  • a voluntary managed hospice provider
  • Direct Payment (personal budgets) or Personal Health Budgets, such as Personal Assistants

COVID-19

The primary aim of the COVID-19 autumn booster programme is to increase immunity in those at higher risk of severe COVID-19 during winter 2022 to 2023.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advise who will be offered a COVID-19 booster vaccine in autumn/winter 2022. This includes:

  • residents in a care home for older adults and staff working in care homes for older adults
  • frontline health and social care workers
  • all adults aged 50 years and over
  • persons aged 5 to 49 years in a clinical risk group
  • persons aged 5 to 49 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
  • persons aged 16 to 49 years who are carers

Vaccination Sessions 2022

Cam & Uley Family Practice will be holding combined flu and COVID-19 booster vaccination clinics over the next few months. Everyone eligible will be personally invited in due course so please do not contact the surgery directly. It will not be possible to book a specific time slot for a vaccination session.

External websites for further information: