The Department of Health has announced a new NHS flu vaccination programme aimed at protecting people experiencing homelessness. The initiative, revealed on June 11, will offer free flu jabs to rough sleepers and those staying in homeless hostels or night shelters starting this autumn.
Reducing the Spread of Flu
Officials state that increasing vaccination among vulnerable groups helps protect the general public by reducing flu transmission in communities. This, in turn, prevents avoidable hospitalisations and eases winter pressures on the NHS and emergency services during periods of high seasonal demand.
Protecting a High-Risk Group
The scheme targets a group at high risk of serious respiratory illness who often face worse NHS access, poorer health outcomes, and earlier death. The government says it is taking action by rolling out flu vaccinations to homeless individuals, aligning with the next flu season.
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, James Murray, commented: “For too long, people experiencing homelessness have faced some of the worst health outcomes in the country and have too often been missed by services many of us take for granted. They should not miss out on potentially life-saving protection against flu when they can be at similar, or even greater, risk from the disease than some groups already eligible for vaccination. This change is about putting that right. By rolling out flu vaccinations to homeless people, we are delivering on our promise to tackle health inequalities and make sure support reaches those who need it most.”
Expert Advice and Support
The decision follows expert advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which recommended making NHS pneumococcal and seasonal flu vaccinations available to homeless individuals. Steve Davies, Regional Head at St Mungo's, said: “Contracting the flu can be dangerous even with a roof over your head. Experiencing homelessness alongside the flu can dramatically increase the risk of hospital admission – and even death. Health needs generally are becoming more acute amongst the people we support. Initiatives like this go a long way to preventing people who are homeless from being overlooked in this wider crisis in public health.”
NHS Commitment
Caroline Temmink, NHS director of vaccination, stated: “The NHS is for everyone, and we know that people who are homeless face greater health risks from flu, so it’s right they should receive the same potentially life-saving protection as other eligible at-risk groups. This is an important decision in tackling health inequalities and the NHS will set out detailed plans for roll out in due course.”
Broader Government Action
Professor Andrew Hayward, UKHSA National Lead for Inclusion Health, noted: “Respiratory infections including flu are a leading cause of preventable hospital admissions in people experiencing homelessness and contribute to reduced life expectancy. This commitment to roll out flu vaccines to people using hostels, night-shelters or sleeping rough will make an important contribution to wider cross-government initiatives to reduce the many health harms caused by homelessness.” Homelessness Minister Alison McGovern added: “Too often, people experiencing homelessness are cut off from routine healthcare, exposed to serious illness, and face much higher risks as a result. That’s why we are taking action across government to tackle homelessness through £3.6 billion worth of investment and improve access to vital services for those most at risk, in line with our National Plan to End Homelessness. By making flu jabs available, we are taking practical action to protect lives and ensure support reaches those who need it most.”
The government confirms that many other groups already receive free flu vaccination, including people over 65, pregnant women, those with long-term health conditions, immunosuppressed individuals, carers, and household contacts of immunosuppressed people.
