Autumn and winter seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccinations

Flu vaccination

Who is eligible for the flu vaccine? 

You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:

• are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2027)
• are aged 18 to 64 and have certain long-term health conditions
• are pregnant
• live in a care home
• are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer's allowance
• live with someone who has a weakened immune system
• are experiencing homelessness or staying in a homeless hostel or night shelter

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

Children's flu vaccine

The children's flu vaccine is recommended for:

• children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2026 (born between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2024)
• school-aged children (Reception to Year 11)
• children aged 6 months to 17 years with certain long-term health conditions

Children can get vaccinated from 1 September 2026.

Find out about the children's flu vaccine, including how to get it.

How to get the Flu Vaccine 

You may be able to get a flu vaccine from:

• your GP surgery
• a pharmacy that offers NHS flu vaccination, you can find a pharmacy that that offers free flu vaccination on the NHS website here.
• your maternity service (if you're pregnant)
• your care home (if you live in a care home)
• your employer (if you're a health or social care worker)

If you're aged 18 or over, you can book a flu vaccination appointment online or in the NHS App now. 

You can call 119 free of charge to book over the phone if you cannot book online. You can ask for an interpreter if you need one.

You can use textphone 18001 or the NHS 119 British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter service if you have difficulties communicating or hearing, or if you are a BSL user.

You do not need to wait to be invited before arranging your vaccination.

You can also book appointments for 2 people on the same day.

COVID-19 vaccination

You can get a COVID-19 vaccine if you:

• are aged 75 or over (including those who will be 75 by 31 January 2027)
• are aged 6 months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment
• live in a care home for older adults

How to get the COVID-19 vaccine

From 1 October 2026, you may also be able to get vaccinated at:

• a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site, you can find details of walk-in COVID-19 vaccination sites on the NHS website here.
• a local service, such as a community pharmacy or your GP surgery
• your care home (if you live in a care home for older adults)

If you're eligible for the winter COVID-19 vaccine, you can book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment online or in the NHS App now.

You can call 119 free of charge to book over the phone if you cannot book online. You can ask for an interpreter if you need one.

You can use textphone 18001 or the NHS 119 British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter service if you have difficulties communicating or hearing, or if you are a BSL user.

You do not need to wait for an invitation before booking an appointment.

You can book appointments for 2 people on the same day