Joint statement on the Autumn/Winter Flu and COVID-19 vaccine rollout for 2023-2024 and beyond

Since the start of the pandemic, COVID-19 has continued to present a great deal of risk to the communities and specific health conditions represented by some of National Voices’ members.

National Voices’ recently published report, The Unequal Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic explores this in more detail.

The joint statement published today addresses collective concerns and insights from across the coalition surrounding the rollout, and determines key actions for the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England, and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

Jacob Lant, Chief Executive of National Voices says:

The VCSE sector is concerned how the Autumn/Winter Flu and COVID-19 vaccine rollout for 2023-2024 has been conducted, and how this may affect immunocompromised people who need to receive the vaccine, and frontline staff working to deliver it.

Our members feel the responsibility of highlighting the Autumn booster rollout has fallen on them, with insufficient support from DHSC and NHSE.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, COVID-19 has presented great risk to the communities and specific health conditions some of our members represent. Whilst most people have been able to return to life as normal, a significant portion of the population remain vulnerable to the virus. 

We urge the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to review and follow our recommendations, to reassure those most vulnerable to COVID-19 that their concerns are understood and their health is prioritised.

Read the statement in full, along with the list of supportive organisations here.