Flu and COVID-19 booster vaccination information for 2022

The COVID-19 Autumn Booster and flu vaccine programmes for 2022 have started and this year more people in England are able to get a free NHS flu jab in addition to the coronavirus booster.

Everyone aged 50 and many unpaid carers aged 16 or over and looking after a family member, partner or friend, are being offered a COVID-19 booster and the flu jab. The list of carers able to receive both vaccinations includes people eligible for, or in receipt of, Carer’s Allowance, and carers supporting someone who is elderly, immunosuppressed, disabled, on their GP Learning Disability Register, or at increased risk from flu or COVID-19.

As of October 2022, you don’t have to provide proof of being a carer when attending the vaccination appointments.

There are further details about who is entitled to receive the seasonal COVID-19 booster at www.nhs.uk/covidvaccination

To learn more about the flu vaccination and who is entitled to a free jab visit www.nhs.uk/flujab

The extra groups able to receive a free NHS flu jab this year are secondary school children in years 7 to 9 and adults aged 50 to 64 that are not clinically at risk from the viruses.

If you live in Hertfordshire you can get information about the flu vaccination and COVID booster programme in the county at https://hertsandwestessexics.org.uk/covid-19

How to make a booking for your vaccinations

Carers who are known to their GP as carers will receive invitations to book both vaccines, or may have received invites already.

If you are not already registered with your GP as a carer, you can also self-declare and book a COVID-19 booster appointment in the following ways:
• through the National Booking Service.
• by calling 119.
• finding a walk-in appointment finder using the online tool on the NHS website – find an appointment.

We recommend registering as a carer with your GP if you haven’t already, so that you can be identified for future vaccinations. Please enquire with your GP practice about their process to register as a carer with them. Some practices have an online feature to register as a carer with them.

For the flu vaccine, carers should approach their GP or pharmacy for further information about how to access it.