NHS giving out 300 jabs per minute in bid to stop deadly 'tripledemic'

An NHS vaccination blitz is seeing more than 300 jabs administered every minute in a bid to prevent a deadly 'tripledemic' of flu, Covid and respiratory syncytial virus. Teams gave 3.4 million doses last week, bringing the total to 25m since September.

Dr Julie Yates, deputy director immunisation programmes at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), urged anyone who is eligible for a free jab but has not yet had it to 'top-up now in time for Christmas'.

She said: "It’s great to see we’re boosting people’s immune systems against winter viruses in time for Christmas, with five jabs going in arms every second. It takes around two weeks for you to get optimum protection once vaccinated, so top-up now in time for Christmas.

READ MORE: Storm Bert claims first victim as man dies after car 'spins off road'

Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here.

"We tend to see flu and Covid-19 circulating at higher levels over this period. Don’t let these viruses spoil your plans if you’re celebrating, or worse, leave you seriously ill or in hospital."

The UKHSA this week warned that RSV was 'circulating at higher levels across most age groups, with emergency departments seeing an increase in acute bronchiolitis among children'. Flu activity was also said to be rising, while Covid rates had decreased slightly.

The RSV jab is being rolled out for the first time in history to pregnant women around the time of their 28 week antenatal appointment. It is also being given to people aged 75 and 79, Express reports.

Steve Russell, NHS national director for vaccinations and screening, said: "Getting vaccinated is your best defence against winter viruses and will help prevent people from getting seriously ill, reduce the amount of people needing hospital care, and help keep people at home with their families this winter. We’ve now delivered millions of vaccinations – with thousands of sites offering Covid and flu jabs together – and have rolled out an RSV vaccination for the first time to help avoid a 'tripledemic' this winter.

"But we’re still urging more people to come forward and make sure they are protected this winter by getting these lifesaving vaccines as soon as possible." Public health minister Andrew Gwynne said jabs offer 'vital protection and reduce pressure on the NHS'..

He added: "I encourage everyone who is eligible to get their flu, Covid -19 and RSV vaccinations as soon as possible. They are without doubt the best way to protect yourself from these viruses that can cause serious harm."