Doctors to offer new flu jab next winter

Over-65s should be offered a newly licensed jab called Fluad to help provide better immunity against the flu next winter.

Fluad, which has been available in Europe for years, was only approved in the UK in August 2017 and contains an added ingredient to create a stronger immune system to help the elderly, whose immune systems become weaker with age.

NHS England has said that there will be additional funding available in 2018-19 for the ‘highly cost-effective’ recommended vaccines, which also include a continued nasal spray vaccine for children and a quadrivalent jab for younger adults in ‘at risk’ groups, which covers four strains of flu.

Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: “GPs want the flu vaccine to be as effective as possible for as many people as possible. The national influenza vaccination programme has saved countless lives over the years and continues to be the most effective response to reducing morbidity and mortality attributed to the illness.

"We're pleased that we now have definitive guidance from NHS England, and we hope this will build confidence amongst patients and encourage greater take-up, particularly for those in at-risk groups. Getting this guidance right is important, and we understand that this might take time – and that new developments based on very recent experiences might build on or alter existing advice."