Care home residents and staff across Greater Manchester have this week started receiving their new variant-tackling seasonal Covid-19 booster vaccination.

And from Wednesday (7 September) anyone aged 75 and over, and those with weakened immune systems, will be able to book their own appointment for the new-style booster.

From Monday 12 September onwards, GPs, pharmacists and hospital hubs will begin giving jabs to hundreds of thousands of people at greater risk from the Covid-19 virus.

Everyone aged 50 and over, people with certain health conditions that put them at risk and frontline health and care staff are all eligible for the full-approved jab, which targets more recent variants of Covid-19.

The first NHS invitations are set to hit doorsteps this week, and eligible people can book their booster vaccine from Wednesday for an appointment from the following week using the National Booking Service or by calling 119, or can find a local vaccination walk-in site.

Greater Manchester is also gearing up to begin its annual programme of flu vaccinations, which will be offered to more vulnerable groups first.

Younger children, older people, those in clinical risk groups and pregnant women will be able to book an appointment for a flu vaccine at their GP practice or a pharmacy.

From mid-October 2022, people aged 50 to 64 years old, that aren’t in a clinical risk group, will also be able to get their free flu vaccine.

People may be able to get both vaccines at the same time, although if this is not possible then everyone eligible is urged to get the jabs separately but as quickly as they can.

Jane Pilkington, Director of Population Health, NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care, said: “We are envisaging a challenging winter, and anticipate seeing the continued spread of Covid-19 plus a resurgence in flu for the first time since the pandemic.

“We are urging everyone who is eligible for the Covid-19 booster to get it to protect themselves and anyone around them who might be vulnerable. The same goes for the flu vaccination, please get it to maximise your overall protection from what is a nasty illness that could land you in hospital, or worse.”

The autumn Covid-19 booster and flu vaccination programmes are among a package of measures to prepare for winter as the health service in Greater Manchester continues to face record demand on its urgent and emergency care services.

Bed capacity is being ramped up, there will be more 999 and NHS 111 staff, and the integrated care system will work to ensure patients can be discharged from hospital back to their own home or into the community with appropriate support as soon as it is clinically appropriate to do so.

Jane added: “We want people in Greater Manchester to stay safe and to stay well, and we’re making the Covid-19 booster and the annual flu vaccination available to the people that need it most.

“The NHS in Greater Manchester will be here if you need us this winter; please help us to help you by getting your vaccinations done at the earliest opportunity.”