Restrictions that means certain flu medications cannot begin to be prescribed outside the usual ‘flu season' until an annual letter of confirmation from the chief medical officer is received are being removed so action can be taken to tackle flu all year round.

Specifically, the change will allow oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) and zanamivir (Relenza®) to be prescribed and dispensed outside the flu season. These antivirals are recommended for treatment of those at highest risk of severe disease outside of the flu season, following a confirmatory test for flu. They are also recommended to prevent disease in specific settings such as care homes where confirmed cases of flu have occurred.

The move is part of the government's ongoing drive to slash unnecessary bureaucracy in the health service through the Red Tape Challenge and put power back in the hands of clinicians on the frontline.

It coincides with the NHS launching this year's improved flu vaccine. The autumn rollout kicks off with flu vaccines for millions of children and pregnant women.

Health minister, Stephen Kinnock, said: ‘Flu can strike all year round, so it doesn't make sense to restrict doctors and pharmacists from taking action to protect the most vulnerable in their communities. That's why, as well as starting the flu vaccination programme today, we are also removing the need for clinicians to have to ask for permission to prescribe what their patients need.

‘It is exactly the type of change we wanted to see when we launched the Red Tape Challenge to bulldoze bureaucracy and prioritise patients over paperwork.'

Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, consultant epidemiologist for immunisation at UKHSA, said: ‘While the majority of influenza cases and outbreaks occur during the flu season, we do continue to see outbreaks outside the peak period.

‘These changes will allow primary care providers and health protection teams to respond more rapidly with effective treatment to reduce the risk of severe disease and the spread of infection at any time of year.'