People experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping can receive free flu and pneumococcal vaccinations for the first time this winter, as the NHS in the North West expands protection for communities at greatest risk of serious illness.
The expanded offer comes as NHS leaders warn that last year’s flu season peaked earlier than expected, adding pressure to services across the region. Everyone who is eligible is being urged to take up the vaccine as soon as they are invited, helping to prevent serious illness and reduce avoidable demand during the NHS’s busiest months.
The free flu vaccine is also available to people aged 65 and over, under-65s in clinical risk groups, care home residents, children, pregnant women, close contacts of people who are immunosuppressed, and frontline health and social care workers.
Across the North West, NHS teams are making vaccination easier and more convenient, with mobile vaccination buses bringing jabs closer to home. The buses in Cheshire and Merseyside and Lancashire and South Cumbria are offering jabs at places such as shopping centres, bus stations, places of worship and leisure centres.
Hundreds of community pharmacies across the region are also offering vaccinations, often without the need to book an appointment in advance.
Local NHS teams and charity partners will take flu vaccinations into communities to reach people experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping, who may face additional barriers to accessing healthcare.
Alongside flu vaccination, COVID-19 vaccinations are available – following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) – to adults aged 75 and over, older adult care home residents and people who are immunosuppressed.
The NHS also recommends the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine for pregnant women and older adults to protect against serious respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis.
Dr Paula Cowan, GP and Regional Medical Director for Primary Care, Communities and Neighbourhoods, said: “As we head into winter and start to see flu and COVID-19 cases rise in the community, now is the time for people to get vaccinated and protect themselves and their families.
“Vaccination is our best defence. It can be lifesaving and helps prevent those most at risk from becoming seriously unwell or needing hospital care.
“Because flu viruses change from year to year, eligible people need the vaccine every year to stay protected against the strains most likely to circulate.
“GP practices, community pharmacies, walk-in clinics and outreach teams are making it as easy as possible to get protected. If you are eligible, or care for someone who is, please take up the offer as soon as you can.”
Last flu season, the NHS in the North West delivered more than 2.3 million flu jabs – part of more than 18.9 million given nationally.
Eligible people can book a flu vaccination online, through the NHS App or by calling 119. They can also find a pharmacy offering a walk-in service.
