Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase the uptake of (a) covid-19 and (b) flu vaccinations in 2023.

From 8 December 2020 to 9 July 2023, over 149 million COVID-19 vaccinations have been delivered in England, and as of 31 March 2023, more than 21.2 million people in England have had their flu jabs. The Government, together with the National Health Service and the UK Health Security Agency, are providing advice and information at every possible opportunity to support those getting the vaccine and to anyone who might have questions about the vaccination process.

NHS England continues to emphasise the role of clinicians in proactively identifying clinically vulnerable cohorts and is working alongside patient charities and professional bodies to ensure anyone eligible is identified and referred for vaccination.

Tailored communications have been developed for specialists caring for each group of eligible patients within the immunosuppressed cohort. This includes template referral letters to make it as easy as possible for clinicians to signpost people to get their vaccination.

NHS England have offered an Access and Inequalities Fund to support local systems in delivering creative approaches to driving equitable uptake across their communities, such as mobile clinics, community ambassadors and bespoke outreach activities.

NHS England have also encouraged local partners to administer flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time where possible to increase the convenience of getting vaccinated for eligible patients.