Autumn/Winter vaccination programme 25 September 2024Between September and December 2024, England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will be undertaking their autumn and winter vaccination programmes. Similar to the previous spring and autumn vaccinations, all four nations are offering COVID-19 vaccines as well as the annual Flu vaccine. The UK is also the first country in the world to offer a national vaccine programme for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) which is being rolled out to infants and people aged 75-79. COVID-19 Autumn Vaccinations All four nations have accepted the advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which advises that for the 2024 autumn vaccination campaign that the following groups should be offered a COVID-19 vaccine booster: Adults aged 65 years and over Residents in a care home for older adults Individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed (as defined in tables 3 and 4 in the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book) All four nations have also agreed to include frontline health and social care workers and staff working in care homes for older adults despite the JCVI announcing that the clinical benefit of vaccinations for these groups is minimal. The term ‘immunosuppressed’ include people who have rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and are on certain medication (for example biologics, JAK Inhibitors or high doses of steroids). For children under the age of 11 who have a diagnosis of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), they will be eligible if they are receiving any dose of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs with the exception of hydroxychloroquine. Your GP will categorise people based on clinical need. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have confirmed that all eligible individuals will be contacted by their local NHS service and will be invited for a vaccination. Wales has also extended the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to include unpaid carers, this can be people living in the same house as someone who is immunosuppressed and eligible for their own vaccination. Flu Vaccine Winter 2024 As with previous years, there is an annual flu vaccination which is being rolled out to various sets of people. These include younger children, pregnant women, people aged 18-64 with a health condition including being immunosuppressed or people aged over 65. The definition for immunosuppressed for a flu vaccine is different from that being used for the COVID-19 boosters. For the flu vaccine, individuals with RA who receive a biologic medication or JAK inhibitor would likely make them eligible. The JCVI have also advised the timings around flu vaccines and are recommending that children and young people are vaccinated earlier to reduce the spread in the wider population. All other groups will be offered vaccinations between October-November to provide additional protection for Christmas period when the spread of flu reaches its peak.RSV Vaccine Winter 2024 RSV is a relatively common cause of coughs and colds but it can cause illnesses such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis which can cause serious breathing problems. People who develop these complications may need to be treated in hospital and they can be life threatening. For the first time this year, people aged between 75-79 will be offered a vaccination for RSV. Older adults only need 1 dose, which should protect them for several years. RSV is a non-live vaccine, so should be fine for most people. Please check with your rheumatology team as to whether a pause in your RA medications (if you are taking methotrexate) might be beneficial/appropriate for you. See more information on pausing medication for vaccines on the link below: Article Immunisation for people with rheumatoid arthritis People living with RA need to take care to protect themselves against infections. The risk of infections, including common colds, but also serious infections such as flu or pneumonia, can be increased in RA. The disease and treatments both alter the body’s immune system, reducing the ability to effectively clear infections before they become severe. Why are vaccinations important? Vaccinations provide good protection against severe illness, hospitalisation and can help protect the most vulnerable from death. Like other vaccines, levels of protection may begin to reduce over time and the autumn dose will help protect you for longer. Vaccination does not prevent someone from contracting the virus but it will significantly reduce the chance of you becoming severely unwell. For more information in your region, please click below: England – NHS England » Flu and COVID-19 Seasonal Vaccination Programme: autumn/winter 2024/25 Wales – COVID: COVID-19 vaccination programme | GOV.WALES Wales – Flu: Flu vaccination programme | GOV.WALES Wales – RSV: RSV vaccination programme | GOV.WALES Scotland – Winter vaccines | NHS inform Northern Ireland – Flu vaccine | nidirect
Article Immunisation for people with rheumatoid arthritis People living with RA need to take care to protect themselves against infections. The risk of infections, including common colds, but also serious infections such as flu or pneumonia, can be increased in RA. The disease and treatments both alter the body’s immune system, reducing the ability to effectively clear infections before they become severe.
Article Immunisation for people with rheumatoid arthritis People living with RA need to take care to protect themselves against infections. The risk of infections, including common colds, but also serious infections such as flu or pneumonia, can be increased in RA. The disease and treatments both alter the body’s immune system, reducing the ability to effectively clear infections before they become severe.