PEOPLE eligible for a flu jab have been urged to contact their GP in preparation for an anticipated rollout of a Covid vaccine.

Earlier this week it was revealed that a vaccine that can prevent more than 90 per cent of people from getting coronavirus had been developed.

Subsequently, the government has asked the NHS to be ready to deliver a Covid-19 vaccination programme so it can start offering vaccinations as soon as one becomes available, which will likely target care home residents and staff first.

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Health Secretary Matt Hancock told MPs on Tuesday that the NHS will be ready from December to roll out the new vaccine if it gets approved, although he warned there are “no guarantees”.

St Helens CCG’s governing body was updated on the evolving situation at its meeting on Wednesday morning.

Professor Sarah O’Brien, the CCG’s clinical accountable officer and executive director of people’s services at St Helens Borough Council, said the CCG was sent information on the Covid vaccine on Tuesday.

She said a task force has now been set up to prepare for the roll-out of the vaccination, as directed by NHS England.

Part of this work is ensuring everyone who is eligible for a flu vaccination receives one.

At the moment, there is a gap in people under 65 who have a serious long-term health condition receiving the flu vaccine.

Covid vaccinations also have to be given a certain amount of time after the flu jab, although the guidance on this has yet to be published.

Dr Hilary Flett, who sits on St Helens CCG’s governing body, said: “In the community we have got a lot of flu vaccines done. And it’s really a plea in a public meeting that if patients who haven’t traditionally had a flu vaccine before but are eligible, will they please get in contact with us.

“We still have flu vaccines. Flu vaccines are ordered for patients who are in high risk groups. So if they could please get in contact.

“If you have missed it for whatever reason, please get back in contact. We still have flu vaccines there to give.

“Because we want to try and get our flu vaccinations boxed off before we now have to deal with the next big challenge, which is getting the Covid vaccines done.

“So please, if you think you’ve missed out, it’s never too late to get your flu jab.”

St Helens Star: Elderly residents living in care homes will likely be the first to receive the Covid vaccine if it is approved Elderly residents living in care homes will likely be the first to receive the Covid vaccine if it is approved

Current NHS planning is based on the latest information on the vaccine development, including which groups will be the priority to get vaccinated early in the programme.

This may mean that smaller numbers of people who have been prioritised as the most vulnerable will be vaccinated first, with larger number of people being offered the vaccine later in the New Year.

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NHS England said it will follow clinical guidance by the Department of Health and Social Care and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and plan for a rollout of the Covid vaccine accordingly.

JCVI recently published updated advice on the priority groups to receive Covid vaccine, advising that vaccines should first be given to care home residents and staff.

The advice said this should be followed by people aged over 80 and health and social workers, before being rolled out to the rest of the population in order of age and risk.