Flu hits hardest in winter and is recommended for people at higher risk of getting seriously ill including, older people, young children, and those with health conditions. The flu jab is the best protection and the vaccine is made each year to match the latest strains, which is why it’s important to get the flu vaccine every year. 

Who can have the flu vaccine this winter:

• Anyone age 65+.
• Children aged 2 and 3 years (on 31 August 2025), Primary school-aged children (Reception to Year 6) and some secondary school pupils (Years 7 to 11). Parents and carers can book their child’s flu vaccine appointment from 1 September. Most children get a small nasal spray in each nostril which only takes a few seconds and there’s no needle. Some children will have an injection instead due to certain health conditions or family preference. Both options protect against flu. Your nurse, GP, or school immunisation team will advise which one is right for your child. Community pharmacies will also be offering free flu vaccinations for 2 and 3 year olds from 1 October. Read more about flu vaccine for children here: Children’s flu vaccine – NHS.
• Pregnant women can book a vaccine appointment from 1 September. Read more about flu vaccination in pregnancy here: The flu jab in pregnancy – NHS.
• Anyone aged 6 months and over who has a long-term health condition, such as severe asthma, heart disease, diabetes, or a weakened immune system.
• People living with someone with a severely weakened immune system.
• Carers who receive Carer’s Allowance or are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person.
• People living in residential care homes.

Frontline health and social care workers can also get a flu vaccine through their employer.

Where to get it: GP surgeries, community pharmacies, some schools, and pop-up vaccination clinics.

The flu vaccine is recommended for people with certain long-term health conditions, including:

• conditions that affect your breathing, such as asthma (needing a steroid inhaler or tablets), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or cystic fibrosis
• heart conditions, such as coronary heart disease or heart failure
• chronic kidney disease
• liver disease, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis
• some conditions that affect your brain or nerves, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy
• diabetes or Addison’s disease
• a weakened immune system due to a condition such as HIV or AIDS, or due to a treatment such as chemotherapy or steroid medicine
• problems with your spleen, such as sickle cell disease, or if you’ve had your spleen removed
• a learning disability
• being very overweight – a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above

Speak to your GP surgery or specialist if you have a health condition and are not sure if you’re eligible for the flu vaccine.

More advice available on the NHS website and find symptoms and how to treat flu here: Flu – NHS

Covid-19 

COVID-19 hasn’t gone away. A booster helps top up your immunity and lowers the risk of severe illness, especially during the busy winter months. You can still catch or spread COVID-19 after vaccination, so follow NHS advice to stay safe.

There are changes in COVID-19 vaccination eligibility for autumn/winter 2025/26

Every year, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) considers who needs to be vaccinated, to help protect people from serious illness. Their advice on COVID-19 has changed because the threat from COVID-19 has changed. It has become a common milder infection for most people.

This autumn/winter, vaccination is being offered only to people at highest risk of serious illness – older people and those who have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment. This is different to previous years. Please note: 

• It’s possible for you to be eligible for a flu vaccine but not eligible for COVID-19 vaccination, even if you’ve had it previously.
• For autumn/winter vaccination invitations, NHS England uses information from NHS records to check who is eligible for vaccination.
• Information in these records may no longer be relevant if the health condition has resolved or the diagnosis or medicines has changed.
• The clinician at the vaccination site will check eligibility before every vaccination.

More information can be found at england.nhs.uk/contact-us/invite-enquiry

Who can have the Covid-19 vaccine this winter:

• people aged 75 or over (including those who will be 75 by 31 January 2026)
• anyone aged 6 months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment
• people living in a care home for older adults

Where to get it: GP surgeries, pharmacies, community vaccination centres, and some hospitals.

You may be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine if you have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment. This can include if you:

• have or had blood cancer, such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma
• have had an organ transplant, bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplant
• have HIV
• have a genetic disorder that affects your immune system, such as severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)
• are having or recently had chemotherapy, biological therapy or radiotherapy
• are taking steroid medicine (depending on the dose)
• are having long-term immunosuppressive treatment for a condition such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), scleroderma or psoriasis
• A full list of conditions can be found on page 35 and 36 of the Green Book

Not sure if you’re eligible? This list doesn’t include all eligible health conditions. Speak to your local pharmacy, GP practice or specialist to check.

Find out more about the Covid-19 vaccine here: Covid-19 vaccine – NHS

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) can cause serious breathing problems in babies, older adults, pregnant women and those with weakened immunity. The RSV vaccine helps protect those most at risk.

Who can get it:

• Anyone aged 75 to 79 (your GP will send an vaccination invite).
• Pregnant women from 28 weeks, to protect their babies (speak to your maternity service or GP surgery about the vaccine).
• People with conditions that make them more vulnerable to chest infections.

Where to get it: GP surgeries, maternity services (for pregnancy vaccination), and hospital clinics.

Find out more here: RSV vaccine – NHS