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A large number of over-65s have been given a flu vaccine that is ineffective for their age group, leaving them at risk of catching the virus this winter. The error was revealed in a letter to NHS staff, which said patients who have been given the wrong vaccine will need to be recalled and possibly vaccinated again.

It is not known exactly how many people have been involved in the jab botch-up, but the letter from Tim Davies, NHS lead for screening and immunisation, said there had been a “significant number of occurrences”. 

Guidance says this particular vaccine, known as QIVe, should not be given to people over 65 because it “is simply not an effective intervention” for this age group.  

The vaccine is only meant to be given to people between 18–64 years who have underlying health issues such as chronic heart disease or diabetes, as well as 50-64 years olds who are not in a clinical risk group. 

NHS England is now investigating the “potential serious incident”, the Health Service Journal reported on Tuesday. 

An NHS spokesperson said: “A small number of people over 65 have been recorded as receiving the QIVe flu vaccine instead of the recommended vaccine type for this age group. There is no clinical risk for those affected.

“Local NHS teams regularly check in with providers to ensure the recommended vaccines have been administered correctly and on the small number of occasions where this isn’t the case, to see if it is appropriate to invite the patient back.”

All eligible Brits have been urged to get vaccinated for both flu and Covid as experts warn of a “twindemic” this winter. 

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is encouraging everyone eligible for a free flu vaccine and a COVID 19 booster to take up the offer as soon as possible ahead of what could be a difficult winter with respiratory viruses circulating widely.

While Covid cases fell last week in England, Wales and Scotland for the first time since September, a wave of infections in early October came at the same time as an early surge of flu. 

Experts predict Britain is set to dodge a big Christmas Covid wave, but are warning that this may just be the calm before the storm. When January hits, cases are expected to soar once again. 

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Modelling by University College London (UCL) has indicated that a winter wave of Covid cases won’t hit the UK until Christmas is over.

Dr Cheryl Walter, a virologist from the University of Hull explained to Express.co.uk why cases are expected to drop after the October spike. She said: “An earlier peak in October/November will result in the inevitable downturn for December and early January, however, the model does predict a second, large peak towards the end of January. 

“The autumn/winter peak this year might be earlier as a result of more mixing of people, more transmissible variants and potentially, waning immunity.”

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