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 roll out the (a) covid-19 booster and (b) flu vaccines; and if he will recommend that they are administered at the same time.

The Government continues to be guided by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) on COVID-19 and flu vaccinations. On 15 July 2022, the Government accepted the JCVI’s advice for an autumn COVID-19 vaccination booster programme which commenced on 5 September 2022 in England and announced an expanded offer of free flu vaccinations which commenced on 1 September 2022.

As with previous COVID-19 campaigns, the oldest and most vulnerable will be offered appointments first. During the week of 5 September 2022, more than 700 care homes in England will be visited by COVID-19 vaccination teams. From 7 September, approximately seven million people, including people aged 75 years old and over, people who are immunosuppressed and health and care workers will be able to book an appointment online or by calling 119. The National Health Service will also launch the flu vaccine programme and encouraging eligible people to take up the offer where possible. Local NHS systems have been asked to maximise opportunities to co-promote and co-administer COVID-19 and flu vaccinations where possible and clinically advised, especially where this improves patient experience and uptake.