An expansion to the seasonal influenza vaccine programme is planned for winter 2020/2021. Under the expansion, all of those in the at-risk groups aged from 6 months up, including healthcare workers, will be able to access the vaccination without charges. All children aged from 2 to 12 years inclusive will also have access to vaccination without charges.
The expanded programme will ensure that those most vulnerable to the effects of influenza will have access to vaccination without charges. By providing vaccination to those most at-risk, and those most likely to require hospitalisation if they contract influenza, the expansion aims to mitigate as much as possible the pressure on the health system which a coincidence of the winter flu season and a resurgence of COVID-19 would cause.
Work is currently underway to develop plans to operationalise this policy. The development of an extensive communications campaign to inform the public about the importance of this vaccination campaign and to encourage a high uptake rate of the vaccine will be a key element of this work.