The UK Government is planning out the “biggest flu vaccination programme in history”, the Health Secretary has said.
Matt Hancock said arrangements were already under way for dealing with the expected surge in demand on the NHS due to seasonal pressures over winter, including flu.
Speaking at the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) virtual conference, Mr Hancock said that following the coronavirus outbreak he was expecting high demand for flu jabs over winter, reports MirrorOnline.
But he said enough vaccine had already been procured for the “biggest flu vaccine programme in history”, but added it would be a “big task”.
“We all know that having had an incredibly hard six months the next big moment is as winter approaches,” he said.
“We are currently planning in detail for winter. We are expecting high demand. We want the flu vaccine programme to be the biggest flu vaccine programme in history.
“We have procured enough vaccine to be able to deliver on that, but then it’s a big task.”
Under the government plans more people could be made eligible for a free injection.
Currently the flu vaccine is free to those deemed most at risk, including those who are pregnant, over 65, carers and primary school children.
Reports earlier this month suggested 10 million extra doses could be given to at-risk groups.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called for it to be given to everyone over 50 while Sage advisers suggest vaccinating the “entire population”
Mr Hancock said the Government was also working on setting up a coronavirus vaccination programme, should a successful vaccine be found.
He said: “We are working hard on a combination of the Covid vaccination programme, should a vaccination work, and of course the biggest flu vaccination programme in history.
“We are working now on how a Covid vaccine roll-out would work.”
