COVID and flu vaccines will be dished out earlier than planned because of fears around a new variant.
This year’s autumn jabs programme has been brought forward as a “precautionary measure” while experts examine the BA.2.86 “Pirola” strain, ministers said.
The variant has a high number of mutations and was first spotted in Britain on August 18, according to scientists from the UK Health Security Agency.
Jabs will now be offered from September 11, having previously been set for October, with care home residents and those most at risk being given another dose first.
Health minister Maria Caulfield said: “As our scientists gather more information on the BA.2.86 variant, it makes sense to bring forward the vaccination programme.