UK announces expansion of winter flu vaccination program

LONDON (Reuters) – Britain on Saturday announced it would expand its winter flu vaccination program to millions more, making it the largest on record as it seeks to avoid pressure on hospitals as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to circulate.

The government said it would offer vaccines to 35 million people, including older schoolchildren and anyone over the age of 50 under a program starting in September that would be delivered alongside possible delivery. booster doses of the COVID vaccine.

“The flu can be a serious illness and we want to build a wall of protection by immunizing a record number of people,” said Minister of Health Sajid Javid.

“As the nation moves closer to normal life, we must learn to live with COVID-19 alongside other viruses and we are offering the free flu shot to millions more to help keep them safe. this winter. “

Last year, 81% of people aged 65 and over in England received a flu shot. So far, 88% of the adult population in Britain has received their first dose of COVID and 67.5% are fully vaccinated.

Hospital admissions for influenza treatment during the winter usually put the state-run national health service under enormous pressure, and health officials fear that a combination of severe influenza cases and of people still in need of coronavirus treatment will leave hospitals struggling.

“Last winter influenza activity was extremely low, but that’s no reason for the complacency as it means fewer people have built a defense against the virus,” said Yvonne Doyle, medical director of Public Health England.

“Combined with the likelihood that COVID-19 will continue to circulate, this makes the next flu season very unpredictable. “