Free flu jabs could be axed for millions next winter - reports
manchestereveningnews.co.ukMillions of over-50s and children in England won’t receive a free flu vaccine next winter as the NHS goes back to pre-Covid rules.
The programme was extended to people aged 50 to 64 and secondary school children in years 7 to 11 in 2021/22 over fears there would be a major flu outbreak following lockdown.
According to Covid data, there are nearly six million people aged 50 to 64 in England who are not also in an at-risk group. They were also offered free jabs in 2020/21, The Mirror reports. READ MORE: Symptoms of norovirus: Warning as vomiting bug outbreaks increase in England But in guidance issued this week on the NHS England website, officials say eligibility will be narrowed again in 2022/23.
The letter told NHS workers and pharmacies: “We would like to extend a huge thank you to all those involved for your hard work during very challenging times which led to some of the best flu vaccine uptake rates ever achieved.” But Dr Leyla Hannbeck, the chief executive of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, told The Telegraph: “No one has communicated to the public that the offer of flu jabs this year is going to be any different to last year. “Last year over-50s were being told they should get their jab, now the advice has changed, but no one is explaining why.
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