‘No plans' to reinstate free flu jabs for 50-64-year-olds despite uptake drive

The government has confirmed that it has “no plans” to expand eligibility for the NHS flu vaccination programme despite urging uptake amid an increase in flu-related deaths.  

exclusive
Cold and flu
The JCVI said it keeps the autumn flu and COVID-19 vaccination programmes “under review”

Speaking at a briefing last week (September 29), UKHSA chief medical advisor Professor Susan Hopkins urged people eligible for free flu vaccines to take up the offer, highlighting recent statistics on excess deaths in England associated with flu - which last winter were the highest they had been in five years.

Free to registered users

Register to gain full access to C+D and C+D Community content

Sign in or register for free

Kate Bowie

Read more by Kate Bowie

Kate Bowie joined C+D as a digital reporter in August 2023 after graduating from a master’s in journalism at City, University of London. She began covering the primary care beat at the end of 2022, when she carried out several health investigations focused on staffing issues, NHS funding and health inequalities.

Latest from News

Retired pharmacist crushed to death in canal boat accident

 
• By 
 • comment

Margaret Billings sustained fatal injuries when she was caught between a moving boat and a riverbank during a day out “with family and friends”, an inquest has found.

NHSE scrapped: ‘Fresh start or just more political chaos?’

 
• By 
 • comment

C+D rounds up some of the immediate pharmacy reaction to news that NHS England will be abolished, with more control moving back to the government and local leaders…

New primary care medical director role as 2-year NHSE axing begins

 
• By 
 • comment

Wes Streeting has revealed that the DH is “immediately” working to scrap NHS England (NHSE) and put a new “transformation team” in place – adding that it is in the “very final stages” of concluding a new pharmacy contract deal.

More from Clinical

exclusive

Paydens reveals rollout of ‘same-day’ private prescribing service

 
• By 
 • comment

Paydens Pharmacy has announced the rollout of a private prescribing service that allows patients to access same-day care “without needing to see their GP” for £15 per consultation.

Boots to ‘review processes’ after caught dispensing Wegovy to teen

 
• By 
 • comment

The health secretary has deemed Boots weight loss safeguards “totally unacceptable” after a new Dispatches documentary found that the pharmacy provided a 16-year-old with Wegovy against its own policy.