Greater Manchester's winter vaccine programme, due to start in October, has since started in September. 

It comes following an announcement by the Department of Health and Social Care and the UK Health Security Agency on the risks presented by the new Covid BA.2.86 variant and pre-emptive measures the NHS has been asked to take.

The immunosuppressed, carers, pregnant women, adults under 65 identified as clinically at risk due to health conditions, and health and social care staff will all be among the groups to be offered a Covid jab this winter, as well as adults aged 65 and over.

The aim of the programme is to protect the most vulnerable and limit the strain on the NHS. 

Dr Helen Wall, Clinical Director for Population Health at NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care said: "Vaccinations are our best defence against flu and COVID-19 ahead of what could be a very challenging winter – and the rise of the new COVID variant makes them even more important than ever.

"That's why I urge anyone who is eligible for the winter vaccinations to please come forward as soon as possible to ensure they have the protection they need to fight these viruses.

"In line with the latest expert advice, we'll now be starting vaccination earlier than originally planned and NHS teams across Greater Manchester will be doing everything they can to accelerate delivery of the programme to ensure as many eligible people as possible are vaccinated by the end of October.

"There will be many sites all over Greater Manchester offering both flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, so we encourage where relevant and available that people have both together as it is perfectly safe and will help maximise the number of people fully vaccinated."

The NHS has already started to invite eligible residents to book an appointment for a vaccine. These messages are sent in priority order of risk. Those eligible should look out for a message.

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