Over 140,000 parents and carers of 2–3-year-olds across East Anglia are being urged to book their children in for a flu vaccine at their GP Practice from next week, as the NHS ramps up its national preparations for winter.

The NHS sent invitations to the group from Tuesday (17 September), after the jab offer for pregnant women and school children kicked off earlier this month. It’s important that parents ensure their children top up their protection ahead of winter, if they are eligible, as immunity wanes over time and viruses change and adapt each year.

Children aged 6 months to 18 years who are in clinical risk groups, such as those with serious heart or breathing problems, will also be invited for a flu jab by their GP Practice. The NHS is encouraging parents to take up this offer, to protect children who may be more vulnerable to flu due to their underlying health conditions.

The flu vaccine is usually given to children as a quick and painless spray up the nose – without the need for an injection – unless your child is under 2 or cannot have porcine gelatine in medical products, in which case an injected flu vaccine is available as an alternative.

The flu vaccination campaign will run across autumn and winter to provide vital protection to prevent people from developing serious illnesses and ending up in hospital during the busy winter months. Last year, during the peak of winter flu cases, data showed there were 2,478 patients in hospital in the East of England with flu each day – 2.5 times higher than compared to the year previous (2,478 w/e 4 February 2024 vs 961 in the same week of 2023).

Other eligible groups including those over 65 and with underlying conditions will soon be able to get their flu and COVID-19 jabs from 3 October, with online bookings opening on 23 September.

This month, for the first time ever, the NHS is also offering the RSV vaccine to pregnant women from 28 weeks so that protection can pass to their babies from birth. Adults aged 75-79 can also get an RSV vaccination now.

Dr Eleanor Powers, Head of Public Health Commissioning (Immunisation) for NHS England – East of England, said: “The flu vaccine is your best defence for you and your family against winter viruses. Booking your vaccinations helps the NHS to protect the lives of the most vulnerable and at risk groups and to ease pressures across the NHS over the busy winter months.

“This year, for the first time ever, we are also offering the RSV vaccine to pregnant women and older adults at greatest risk.

“Getting vaccinated is the best way you can protect yourself and those around you against bronchiolitis and serious lung infections potentially caused by RSV – and while RSV infections can occur all year round, cases usually peak in winter, so it’s important that those eligible take up the offer as soon as possible this autumn when offered by the NHS.”

Last year, the NHS delivered more than 18 million flu vaccinations to adults and children. In line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, those eligible for a flu vaccine this year include:

From 1 September:

• pregnant women
• all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024
• primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6)
• secondary school aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11)
• all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to 18 years – this is particularly important   regionally, as take-up by this at-risk group in the East of England has previously been low.

From 3 October:

• those aged 65 years and over
• those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book)
• those in long-stay residential care homes
• carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
• close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
• frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and those that are employed by those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets, such as Personal Assistants.