Influenza and Covid-19 winter vaccination programmes rolled out 

The Government is encouraging people in eligible groups to get vaccinated against seasonal ‘flu and Covid-19 this winter

. The list includes the following groups:
•    Care home residents
•    Adults aged 65 and over
•    Those with certain underlying health conditions, listed in the JCVI clinical risk group, which can be found here: Greenbook chapter 14a COVID-19

Covid-19 vaccine

People with epilepsy are not automatically eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine, unless they are in one of the groups above.

They are not included as part of the clinical risk group unless they have respiratory difficulties due to a chronic neurological condition such as epilepsy. This is because people in this category are at greater risk of serious disease and most likely to benefit from the vaccine.
 

Seasonal influenza vaccine 

The ‘flu vaccine is available to care home residents, adults aged 65 and over and people aged six months to 65 in clinical risk groups. However, just as with the Covid-19 vaccine, people with epilepsy are not included automatically in the clinical risk group unless they have respiratory difficulties due to a chronic neurological condition such as epilepsy. 

GPs can decide at their discretion which of their patients are eligible if they aren’t in one of these groups. Speak to your doctor if you have questions about whether you qualify. You can also use this letter from our Medical Director, Professor Ley Sander, if you want to support your case for eligibility.

To book a vaccination, you can:
•    Book a Covid-19 vaccination online (using NHS.uk), via the NHS App or by calling 119. 
•    Book an appointment to get the ‘flu vaccination through your GP or by visiting a pharmacy offering ‘flu vaccinations. 

Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer, said: “We need to protect people who are most at risk of becoming seriously ill and prevent avoidable hospitalisations and deaths, so it is very important that everyone who is eligible receives their vaccination. Almost 5,000 sites are taking part in the campaign this year to make it as easy as possible for people to get protection.”