When do the flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccinations start this September 2024?
People living in Dorset are being reminded to find out which vaccinations they are eligible for ahead of the coming winter months.
If you can have a flu, COVID-19 or RSV vaccination this winter, you will be contacted directly by the NHS. This might be by text message, letter or phone call. It’s important that you make sure your contact details are up-to-date with your general practice surgery.
Flu vaccination
From 1 September 2024 the following people can have their flu vaccination:
- pregnant women
- all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024
- school aged children and young people (from Reception to Year 11)
- all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years
Pregnant women need to book their vaccinations with their maternity team.
Children aged 2 and 3 can have the vaccination at their general practice surgery.
School aged children and young people can have the vaccination at school. The flu vaccination is a pain-free, squirt up the nose for children.
See more on the dedicated Flu Fighters webpage.
Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations
The COVID-19, and flu vaccinations for all eligible people, begin 3 October 2024.
From 3 October 2024, the following people can have the flu vaccination:
- those aged 65 years and over, (including those due to turn 65 of years on or before 31 March 2025)
- those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book, Influenza Chapter 19)
- those in a care home
- 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 health and care workers
From 3 October 2024, the following people can have the COVID-19 vaccination:
- those aged 65 years and over, (including those due to turn 65 of years on or before 31 March 2025)
- pregnant women
- are aged 6 months to 64 years and have an increased risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 because of a health condition or treatment
- people who live in a care home for older adults
Respiratory syncyial virus (RSV)
From September 2024 the NHS will offer an RSV vaccination to protect adults between the age of 75- 79 and pregnant women.
RSV is an infectious disease of the airways and lungs. This respiratory infection often causes symptoms similar to a cold, including:
- cough
- sore throat
- sneezing
- a runny or blocked nose
It can also make you become wheezy or short of breath and lead to pneumonia and other life-threatening conditions. There is no specific treatment, and most infections will get better by themselves. Every year thousands of older adults need hospital care for RSV, and some of them will die.
The RSV vaccination is vital. This respiratory infection is common in young children but is most serious for small babies and for older people.
If you are pregnant, you will have this vaccination with your maternity team. Visit Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) – Maternity Matters Dorset for more details.
If you are aged 75 – 79 you will be invited for the vaccination by your general practice surgery.
