How to get a flu vaccine
Flu occurs every year, usually in the winter, which is why it’s sometimes called seasonal flu. It is caused by influenza viruses that infect the windpipe and lungs, and because it’s caused by viruses and not bacteria, antibiotics won’t treat it.
The best protection against flu is the flu vaccine. It is safe and effective and it’s offered every year on the NHS to help protect people at risk of flu and its complications.
If you are eligible you can still get vaccinated until 31 March 2026. Bookings can be made up to 30 March 2026 but some providers will have finished their operations prior to 19 December 2026 so there may be more limited provision after this date.
Community outreach provision for Covid and Flu vaccinations will be in place from 1 October 2025 to 31 January 2026.
Please visit the NHS find a pharmacy page to check where your nearest participating pharmacy is
Who can have the vaccine?
The following cohorts are announced and authorised to be eligible to receive a flu vaccination:
From 1 September 2025:
- pregnant women
- all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2025
- primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6)
- secondary school aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11)
- all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years
From 1 October 2025:
- those aged 65 years and over
- those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book, Influenza chapter 19)
- those in long-stay residential care homes
- carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
- close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
- frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and those that are employed by those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets, such as Personal Assistants
- frontline health care workers, including both clinical and non-clinical staff who have contact with patients
