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NHS scraps free flu vaccines for millions of over-50s and teenagers next winter
Flu vaccination has been recommended vulnerable groups in the UK since the late 1960s.
The NHS’s rollout of free flu vaccinations to over-50s and secondary school-aged children is soon to come to an end.
Millions more flu jabs were rolled out to anybody over the age of 50 and children in school years seven to 11 as part of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis amid fears of an outbreak back in November 2020, but it’s now been revealed that this eligibility will be cut next winter as the NHS attempts to return to pre-pandemic rules.
In guidance issued this week on the NHS England website, officials say eligibility for the flu vaccine will be narrowed in 2022/23.
The letter told NHS workers and pharmacies: “We would like to extend a huge thank you to all those involved for your hard work during very challenging times which led to some of the best flu vaccine uptake rates ever achieved.”
Read more: Free flu vaccines to be offered to all over 50s in preparation for winter
But despite this change in eligibility apparently having been communicated to medical staff, Dr Leyla Hannbeck, the chief executive of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, told The Telegraph: “No one has communicated to the public that the offer of flu jabs this year is going to be any different to last year.
“Last year over-50s were being told they should get their jab, now the advice has changed, but no one is explaining why.
“It’s going to cause so much confusion.”
The decision appears to go against the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), according to minutes from December seen by the Telegraph.
According to the newspaper, the minutes said the JCVI “remained supportive of fully extending the childhood programme on a routine basis which is highly cost effective”, and added that it would be “acceptable to vaccinate 50-64 year olds for the 2022/23 season if funding available.”
Read more: GPs will soon have to open on Saturdays and weekday evenings
Flu vaccination has been recommended vulnerable groups in the UK since the late 1960s.
Between 2015 to 2020, more than 11,000 people died per year with flu on average, and in 2019/20, 86% of flu deaths were of people over the age of 65.
Those said to be eligible for flu vaccinations in 2022/23 will be:
- Those aged 65 and over
- Children (over six months) and adults (under 65) in clinical risk groups
- All children aged two to 10 on 31 August 2022
- Pregnant women
- Care home residents
- Carers
- Close contacts of immunocompromised people
- Frontline health and social care workers (through employers).
Featured Image – Flickr
News
A former beauty queen, 25, has died suddenly after collapsing at stables owned by Michael Owen
Daisy Jackson
A former beauty queen has died at just 25 years old, after she collapsed at the stables owned by Michael Owen.
Jessica Whalley worked at Manor House Stables and had previously taken part in the Miss Tourism Universe pageant.
Emergency services were called to the equestrian facility in Malpas, Cheshire, on Tuesday morning to reports that the young woman had collapsed.
Tragically, paramedics were unable to revive Jessica, and she died at the scene.
Manor House Stables, which is owned by former England, Liverpool FC and Manchester United legend Michael Owen, has put out a statement.
They wrote: “It is with deep sadness that we have to announce that a much-valued member of our team died at work this morning.
“The family have been informed and both the family and the team at Manor House request privacy at this time.”
In a statement, Cheshire Police said: “At around 8.50am today, Tuesday 28 March, police were made aware that a 25-year-old woman had collapsed at a stables on Old Coach Road, Malpas.
“Emergency services attended the location and, despite the best efforts of all those involved, the woman sadly died at the scene.
“The death is not being treated as suspicious and her next of kin have been informed. A file will be prepared for the coroner.”
Jockey Zander Voy also shared a tribute to Jessica Whalley, posting: “It’s heartbreaking to hear Jess lost her life today at the tender age of 25.
“She was riding out doing what she loved. We had so many great times working in Dubai. May she rest in peace. Here’s her just 72 hours ago.”
Read more
Featured image: Instagram
News
Keir Starmer says Labour will ‘freeze’ council tax this year if elected
Emily Sergeant
Keir Starmer has said he will “freeze” council tax in England this year if Labour triumphs in the upcoming local elections.
The Labour leader says his party will cut tax “for the many, not just for the top 1%.”
With the next local elections coming up on 4 May 2023, and Labour hoping to gain in its number of seats across England and Wales, Sir Keir Starmer appeared in Swindon today to launch his party’s election campaign, and hit out at the Conservative Party for being “nowhere near good enough” over their last 13 years of power.
Starmer notably blasted the Tories for their decision to raise tax-free pension limits in its most recent Budget announcement – which is set to benefit the most well-off in our society – and said Labour would counteract this and represent working people.
It comes after almost three in four local Councils say they are planning to increase the cost by the maximum amount allowed after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt raised the cap on council tax increases without a referendum from 3% to 5%.
Council leaders claim they have “little choice” but to increase costs as the rising cost of living crisis sadly continues to make its impact felt nationwide.
Speaking at the launch of Labour’s campaign today, Starmer stated “there is a choice on tax” for the public to make in the upcoming local elections.
He added: “A Tory choice – taxes up for working people, tax cuts for the 1% – or a Labour choice, where we cut business rates to save our high streets and where, if there was a Labour government, you could take that council tax rise you just got and rip it up.
“A Labour government would freeze your council tax this year – that’s our choice. A tax cut for the many, not just for the top 1%. So take this message to every doorstep in your community: Labour is the party of lower taxes for working people.
“That’s the difference we can make. That’s the choice in May. A better Britain.”
Starmer said he intends for the pledges he made in Labour’s local election campaign launch to “send a message to the government” after their 13 years in power.
“What they’ve delivered to our country nowhere near good enough,” he said
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“We’ve got to get out there and show people the difference Labour can make. Let them see our hunger for change. We have to prove that this suffocating cost of living crisis, the path of decline the Tories have set Britain on, the endless sticking plaster politics, is not inevitable.
“There is a choice.”
Featured Image – gov.uk
