More than half a million people have been vaccinated against winter killer respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in the first national jab rollout. Inoculations for Covid and flu also kicked off on Thursday as the NHS battles to prevent a “tripledemic” during the colder months. Appealing for all those eligible to come forward for vaccinations, NHS national medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis warned the threat posed by these viruses is “all too real”.
He said: “Express readers will know what a vital role vaccination played in bringing us out of the darkest days of the pandemic. "But the threat of these dangerous viruses is sadly still all too real with alarming new data showing 18,000 deaths associated with flu and 19,500 with Covid over the last two winters. “However there is of course a quick and easy way to protect yourself and your loved ones from ending up seriously ill, with our winter Covid and flu vaccine rollout kicking off this week for older people, care home residents, and those with long term health conditions – so if you don’t already have an appointment please do book using the NHS website, NHS App or by calling 111.
READ MORE: 'Bug that started with runny nose almost killed my twin babies' “NHS teams are going above and beyond to deliver vaccines in the most convenient ways, including jabs from pop-up clinics in a Wolverhampton supermarket car park and a Wakefield rugby club, and if you are pregnant or aged 75 to 79 then I would urge you .