Flu and COVID-19 can be serious illnesses, particularly for older people and those with weakened immune systems.
Vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalisation and complications from both flu and COVID-19.
Protection from previous COVID-19 infection or vaccination can reduce over time, making it important for those at higher risk to top up their immunity.
The flu vaccine is updated each year based on global surveillance of circulating flu strains and remains the best way to help protect yourself and reduce the spread of the virus to others.
Getting vaccinated is the best way to help protect yourself against serious illness and reduce the risk of passing infections on to those who are more vulnerable.
Both vaccines provide strong protection against serious illness and hospitalisation. If you are eligible, you will be invited by the NHS, but you do not need to wait for an invitation before booking your vaccination.
For more information about the autumn vaccination programme, visit the NHS website:
Are you eligible?
Flu vaccine
From 1 September 2026
- Pregnant women
From 1 October 2026
- Children aged 2 or 3 years (on or before 31 August 2026)
- Adults aged 65 years and over
- People aged 2 to under 65 years in a clinical risk group, including those with:
- Respiratory conditions such as asthma requiring a steroid inhaler, COPD or cystic fibrosis
- Heart, kidney or liver disease
- Diabetes
- Neurological conditions
- A weakened immune system
- Individuals experiencing homelessness
- Residents of long-stay residential care homes
- Carers in receipt of Carer’s Allowance, or those who are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person
- Close contacts of people who are immunocompromised
- Frontline social care workers who do not have access to an employer-led occupational health vaccination programme
COVID-19
The vaccine will be offered to:
- Adults aged 75 years and over
- Residents of older adult care homes
- People aged six months and over who are immunosuppressed, as defined in the NHS COVID-19 Green Book
If you are eligible for both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines, the NHS encourages you to receive them at the same appointment wherever possible, making it quicker and more convenient to get protected ahead of winter.
Why should I get vaccinated?
Flu viruses are constantly changing, and the strains that circulate can vary from one season to the next. To provide the best possible protection, the flu vaccine is updated each year to target the strains most likely to be circulating during the upcoming flu season.
This is why people who are eligible are advised to have a flu vaccination every year. Annual vaccination helps to protect you from serious illness, reduces the risk of hospitalisation and can help prevent the spread of flu to vulnerable family members, friends and the wider community.
The COVID-19 vaccine also helps protect against severe illness and hospitalisation. As protection from previous infection or vaccination can decrease over time, those at higher risk are encouraged to top up their immunity through the seasonal vaccination programme.
How do I get my vaccination?
You can book your appointment:
- Via the NHS App
- By calling 119
- Using a text phone on 18001 119
You can also attend a community COVID-19 vaccination clinic (see dates and locations below).
If you receive healthcare at home, speak to your GP practice about arranging a home visit.
Community flu and COVID-19 vaccination clinics
Our Outreach Health and Vaccination team will be out and about this autumn offering those eligible flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.
Eligibility criteria
Flu vaccine
- Adults aged 65 and over
- Adults in a clinical risk group
COVID-19 vaccine
- Adults aged 75 and over
- People who are severely immunosuppressed
- People aged 75 and over, those aged six months and over who are immunosuppressed, and residents of older adult care homes are now eligible for the COVID-19 spring vaccination.
No appointment required
If you are eligible and would like to take up the offer of a free flu and/or COVID vaccine at one of our community clinics, simply drop in – no appointment is required.
Locations, dates and times to follow.
