25 million vaccines have been administered since September (Image: Getty)
An NHS vaccination blitz is delivering more than 300 jabs a minute in an effort to prevent a deadly “tripledemic” of flu, and respiratory syncytial virus this winter.
Teams administered 3.4 million doses last week, bringing the total to 25m since September.
Dr Julie Yates, deputy director immunisation programmes at UKHSA, urged anyone eligible who had not yet taken up a free jab to “top-up now in time for Christmas”.
She said: “It’s great to see we’re boosting people’s immune systems against winter viruses in time for Christmas, with five jabs going in arms every second.
“It takes around two weeks for you to get optimum protection once vaccinated, so top-up now in time for Christmas. We tend to see flu and -19 circulating at higher levels over this period.
“Don’t let these viruses spoil your plans if you’re celebrating, or worse, leave you seriously ill or in hospital.”
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The UK Health Security Agency this week warned that RSV was “circulating at higher levels across most age groups, with emergency departments seeing an increase in acute bronchiolitis among children”.
Flu activity was also increasing while rates had decreased slightly.
The RSV jab is being rolled out for the first time in history to pregnant women around the time of their 28 week antenatal appointment, and people aged 75-79.
Steve Russell, NHS national director for vaccinations and screening, said: “Getting vaccinated is your best defence against winter viruses and will help prevent people from getting seriously ill, reduce the amount of people needing hospital care, and help keep people at home with their families this winter.
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“We’ve now delivered millions of vaccinations – with thousands of sites offering and flu jabs together – and have rolled out an RSV vaccination for the first time to help avoid a ‘tripledemic’ this winter.
“But we’re still urging more people to come forward and make sure they are protected this winter by getting these lifesaving vaccines as soon as possible.”
Public health minister Andrew Gwynne said the jabs offer “vital protection and reduce pressure on the NHS”.
He added: “I encourage everyone who is eligible to get their flu, -19 and RSV vaccinations as soon as possible. They are without doubt the best way to protect yourself from these viruses that can cause serious harm.”