The Government has said that pensioners aged 65 to 74 will no longer be able to go for a free jab
The eligibility criteria for the Covid-19 jab on the NHS has been tightened this year leaving many people confused whether they are eligible for the vaccine.
This winter the Covid-19 vaccine is only available on the NHS for people over the age of 75; if they have a weakened immune system or if they live in a care home for older adults. Other groups can pay for the vaccine privately.
Previously the vaccine has been available for much larger groups of people meaning there are 13 million fewer people eligible this winter.
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The Government said that pensioners aged 65 to 74 will no longer be able to go for a free jab. This amounts to six million people, of which just over half took up the offer last autumn.
Meanwhile, 6.9 million people in “clinical risk” groups such as pregnant women and people with chronic heart and liver disease will also be excluded for the first time – although only 23 per cent of them took up the offer last year. However, one million immunosuppressed people with weak immune systems will continue to be eligible.
The decision to restrict the Covid jab criteria has been met with mixed responses by scientists.
Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at Warwick University, said the decision is “very shortsighted”.
He added: “Waning immunity to Covid in the population and the continued emergence of new variants warrants at least providing vaccine cover for all those over 65 as well as NHS and care workers,” he said.
“While targeting the most vulnerable is likely to prevent a surge in hospitalisations, it ignores the burden of infection in the general population, the impact of sickness on work and school attendance, and the increased risk of infection causing long-term effects.”
However, Dr Alasdair Munro, clinical lecturer in paediatric immunology and infectious diseases at the University of Southampton, said the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), expert scientific advisory committee that advises the UK government on vaccination, undertakes a rigorous assessment every year as to the costs and benefits of the national immunisation schedule.
“The impact of Covid-19 has been significantly diminished due to high levels of population immunity through previous immunisation and widespread infection, so that the benefits from additional immunisation are now very small for all but the most vulnerable populations,” Dr Munro said
“After careful consideration, the JCVI has determined the groups for whom there is still a favourable cost: benefit ratio. As such, we would not expect a bigger spike in Covid-19 in the coming months compared to last year on the basis of the changed eligibility criteria.”
Covid cases have been much lower this year than for most of the pandemic – and, despite a steady increase in recent weeks, they are still well below the level they were at most of last year.
A wider group is eligible for the flu jab this year including those over the age of 65; people with certain long-term conditions; pregnant women; care home residents; certain carers and those who live with someone with a weakened immune system. It is understood that an option for people to book both vaccines at the same time may have caused confusion.
Pharmacies have said people who are not eligible for a Covid jab have been incorrectly able to book a vaccine appointment through the NHS booking system. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) said the situation has been “deeply frustrating” for both patients and pharmacists. But people have been able to book in for appointments online, despite not being eligible for the vaccine, the NPA said.
Henry Gregg, chief executive of the NPA, said: “We are aware of reports from across the country of patients who are not eligible on the NHS for this year’s Covid vaccine arriving at pharmacies, having been able to book an appointment via the online system.
“This should have been avoidable and it is deeply frustrating for both pharmacies and patients. We urge any patient in this situation to treat pharmacy teams with respect as pharmacies try to manage the new NHS clinical criteria.
“We’ve urgently raised this issue with NHS England and the Department of Health and have asked for it be resolved as soon as possible.”
An NHS spokesperson said: “Covid-19 vaccine eligibility changed for this autumn and winter following the JCVI recommendation that it should be offered to people aged 75 or over, anyone with a weakened immune system, or those living in older adult care homes.
“Please double check you are still eligible to receive a Covid-19 vaccine before booking – the NHS website sets out whether your age, health condition or medication means you are eligible, and your GP practice or pharmacist will confirm this before giving you the vaccine.”