In Gateway Chemist we are thrilled to announce the launch of the Flu and COVID 19 seasonal vaccination campaign Autum/Winter 2024/25. This campaign represents our commitment to promoting vaccination and safeguarding public health especially as we continue to navigate the challenges presented by the COVID19 virus and seasonal flu.
Who is eligible in this campaign
The eligibility is based on the advice and recommendations of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
The groups eligible for NHS COVID-19 vaccine in autumn/winter 2024/25 are:
- residents in a care home for older adults
- all adults aged 65 years and over
- persons aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as defined in tables 3 and 4 of the COVID-19 chapter of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Green Book
The cohorts eligible for the flu programme in autumn/winter 2024/25 are:
From 1 September 2024:
- 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 less than 18 years
From October 2024,
- those aged 65 years and over
- those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book, Influenza Chapter 19)
- 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
Vaccination of all COVID-19 cohorts will start on 3 October at the same time as all other adult flu cohorts, as set out in the flu letter.
Which vaccine will be used
The NHS will be offering Moderna, for Covid19 immunisation, to eligible individuals in this campaign. This vaccine has demonstrated high efficacy in preventing COVID19 infection, severe illness and hospitalization. At the same time, those individuals who are currently not eligible for NHS Covid vaccination have the choice of getting vaccinated privately in our pharmacy. At this time for COVID 19 private vaccination we are offering Pfizer.
How to book an appointment
The National Booking System (NBS) will be open for bookings from the public from Monday 23 September 2024 and the last available appointment date on NBS will be Friday 20 December 2024 for both flu and COVID-19. However, COVID-19 vaccination should continue to be delivered to underserved communities until Friday 31 January 2025. Flu vaccinations will be available until Monday 31 March 2025.
If you are struggling to book an appointment, please call us on 0208 346 4530.
We urge all eligible individuals to take advance of the Flu and COVID 19 seasonal vaccination campaign. By getting vaccinated we can make significant strides in overcoming the challenges posed by the Covid 19 and seasonal Flu virus.
Together, we can make a difference. Stay safe and stay protected.