London: The Super-K flu vaccine rollout has begun across the UK, with schoolchildren and pregnant women among the first groups offered protection ahead of winter.
The updated vaccine has been designed to provide a better match against subclade K. The strain circulated during last winter’s flu season, which began more than a month earlier than usual and placed additional pressure on NHS services.
Children are being prioritised because school-age children can catch and spread flu easily. Vaccinating children can also help protect other members of households. This includes younger siblings and grandparents.
Pregnant women can also receive the free NHS vaccine from September. Other eligible groups will be offered vaccination from October. People aged 65 and over are among those who will receive invitations by phone or post.
The NHS flu vaccine is updated each year because influenza viruses continue to mutate. Health experts have to anticipate which strains are likely to circulate so vaccines can provide a suitable level of protection. The updated vaccine includes changes aimed at improving its match against subclade K.
Children aged 2 and above are given the vaccine as a nasal spray. Adults receive an injection. One dose is needed for protection ahead of the winter season. NHS flu vaccinations are available through GPs, schools and high street pharmacies.
People who are not eligible for a free NHS vaccine can pay for vaccination. The cost is generally about £10 to £20 ($13.5 to $27.1). Free vaccination from October will also cover children aged 2 or older who have not started school. Other eligible groups include people with certain long-term health conditions, care home residents and people who are the main carer for an older or disabled person.
People receiving carer’s allowance can also qualify. The programme also covers people living with someone who has a weakened immune system. People experiencing homelessness or staying in a homeless hostel or night shelter are also eligible.
It remains uncertain when flu will peak this year or whether the UK will face another severe season. Health experts often examine trends in southern hemisphere countries such as Australia and New Zealand. Both countries have experienced a relatively mild flu season so far, with activity peaking around July and August.
The NHS is also expanding protection against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) this winter. From September, adults aged 65 will be invited for the RSV vaccine if certain pre-existing conditions are present, including chronic lung disease. The change lowers the previous eligibility age of 75.
MOST READ | Google renames Lake Ontario as Lake America for US users
