New NHS free flu jabs plan announced by Department of Health

New NHS free flu jabs plan announced by Department of Health A new vaccination programme has been announced today, June 11 A new free flu jab plan has been announced by the Department of Health. Officials say the vaccination programme will help the public at large and is designed to support those experiencing rough sleeping and people staying in homeless hostels or night shelters. Increasing vaccination among vulnerable groups can help to protect the general public by reducing the spread of flu through communities, officials say. This should then helps prevent avoidable hospitalisations and eases winter pressures on NHS and emergency services during periods of high seasonal demand. The aim of the scheme is to protect a group at high risk of serious respiratory illness who are too often left behind. People who are homelessness are more likely to experience worse NHS access, worse outcomes and to die younger, government officials say. Now the government says it is taking action by offering flu vaccination to people experiencing homelessness - beginning in the autumn - in line with when the next season of flu vaccinations are available. 'Rolling out flu vaccinations' Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, James Murray said: “For too long, people experiencing homelessness have faced some of the worst health outcomes in the country and have too often been missed by services many of us take for granted. They should not miss out on potentially life-saving protection against flu when they can be at similar, or even greater, risk from the disease than some groups already eligible for vaccination “This change is about putting that right. By rolling out flu vaccinations to homeless people, we are delivering on our promise to tackle health inequalities and make sure support reaches those who need it most.” The update comes after the government accepted the expert advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to make NHS pneumococcal and seasonal flu vaccinations available to those experiencing homelessness. Steve Davies, Regional Head at St Mungo's, said: "Contracting the flu can be dangerous even with a roof over your head. Experiencing homelessness alongside the flu can dramatically increase the risk of hospital admission – and even death. Health needs generally are becoming more acute amongst the people we support. Initiatives like this go a long way to preventing people who are homeless from being overlooked in this wider crisis in public health. “Under the NHS 10 Year Plan and through wider collaboration across government and charities, we need to continue to ensure that every person facing homelessness has access to a healthcare system that enhances - rather than reduces - their life.” Officials say that JCVI advice shows this group faces very high levels of poor health and can be at similar, or even greater, risk from flu and pneumococcal disease than some groups already routinely eligible for vaccination. Caroline Temmink, NHS director of vaccination, said: “The NHS is for everyone, and we know that people who are homeless face greater health risks from flu, so it’s right they should receive the same potentially life-saving protection as other eligible at-risk groups. This is an important decision in tackling health inequalities and the NHS will set out detailed plans for roll out in due course.” Professor Andrew Hayward, UKHSA National Lead for Inclusion Health: “Respiratory infections including flu are a leading cause of preventable hospital admissions in people experiencing homelessness and contribute to reduced life expectancy. This commitment to roll out flu vaccines to people using hostels, night-shelters or sleeping rough will make an important contribution to wider cross-government initiatives to reduce the many health harms caused by homelessness.” Homelessness Minister Alison McGovern said: “Too often, people experiencing homelessness are cut off from routine healthcare, exposed to serious illness, and face much higher risks as a result. That’s why we are taking action across government to tackle homelessness through £3.6 billion worth of investment and improve access to vital services for those most at risk, in line with our National Plan to End Homelessness. By making flu jabs available, we are taking practical action to protect lives and ensure support reaches those who need it most.” The government says that many other cohorts and vulnerable groups already get free flu vaccination. This includes people over the age of 65, pregnant women, people with long-term health conditions, people who are immunosuppressed, carers and household contacts of people with immunosuppression.