Covid and flu vaccines are being rolled out to older people in care homes in England from today.

The roll-out comes after news on Friday that 28 cases of the BA.2.86 variant had been found in a Norfolk care home.

Older people in care homes and people who are housebound will be the first to receive their jabs with other vulnerable groups to follow shortly.

The roll-out of the Covid vaccines was brought forward from October after the discovery of the new variant.

Vaccinations are also being brought forward in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland this month.

The emergence of the new variant has prompted calls from some MPs and medical experts for Covid vaccines to be given to all over 50s.

The current groups eligible for vaccination include: all adults aged 65 years and over; people aged six months to 64 years in a clinical risk group; frontline health and social care workers; and staff working in care homes for older people.

NHS director of vaccinations and screening, Steve Russell said: “The NHS flu and covid vaccination programmes have been very effective in protecting those at greatest risk and we will work at speed to ensure they are protected once again this year, starting with care homes and those who are housebound today.

“With concerns arising over new Covid variants, it’s vital we adapt the programme and bring it forward for those most at risk, and so I strongly urge everyone eligible to come forward as soon as they can for this important protection in colder months.

“NHS staff have worked hard to ensure services are ready for patients to get jabbed at an earlier stage so they can get their protection as soon as possible.”

Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency, said: “Older people and those in clinical risk groups remain at highest risk of serious illness from Covid-19.

“The roll-out of this year’s autumn booster begins in care homes today, with more eligible groups being invited to get protected over the coming weeks.

“The vaccine continues to provide the best protection against serious illness and hospitalisation from Covid-19, so please make sure you get vaccinated when offered and encourage loved ones who are eligible to do the same.”