PEOPLE experiencing homelessness will be offered free flu vaccinations on the NHS, beginning in Autumn, the Department of Health and Social Care has reported.
The vaccinations will come as part of a rollout later this year, ahead of winter, in line with when the next season of flu vaccinations will be available.
Acute Health Needs
The programme will support those experiencing rough sleeping and people staying in homeless hostels or night shelters.
People who are homeless are more likely to experience worse NHS access and health outcomes, and to die younger.
Steve Davies, Regional Health, St Mungo’s: Homeless Charity, London, UK, said: “Contracting the flu can be dangerous even with a roof over your head.
“Experiencing homelessness alongside the flu can dramatically increase the risk of hospital admission – and even death.
“Health needs generally are becoming more acute among the people we support.
“Initiatives like this go a long way to preventing people who are homeless from being overlooked in this wider crisis in public health.”
Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation
The update follows government acceptance of expert advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to make NHS pneumococcal and seasonal flu vaccinations available to those experiencing homelessness.
JCVI advice highlighted that people who are homeless face incredibly high levels of poor health and can be at similar, or greater, risk from flu and pneumococcal disease than some groups already routinely eligible for vaccination.
Caroline Temmink, Director of Vaccination, NHS, London, UK, said: “The NHS is for everyone, and we know that people who are homeless face greater health risks from flu, so it’s right they should receive the same potentially life-saving protection as other eligible at-risk groups.
“This is an important decision in tackling health inequalities and the NHS will set out detailed plans for rollout in due course.”
Featured image: Stephen Hyam on Adobe Stock
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