Eligible people should wait to receive an invite from their local provider.
From September, the NHS will start to invite people in priority order of risk and those eligible will be able to book an appointment on the National Booking Service.
The NHS winter flu and COVID-19 vaccination programme provides vital protection to those eligible and their families over winter, keeping people from developing serious illnesses, and helping to minimise hospitalisations during busy winter months.
But it is important that those eligible this year come forward for their vaccinations as protection fades over time, and the virus that causes flu can change from year to year.
As in previous years, the NHS will let people know when bookings open. Adult flu and COVID-19 appointments will be available through the NHS App and website, or by calling 119 for those who can’t get online. Flu and Covid vaccines will also be available through your GP practice and pharmacies.
There will be no change to flu vaccinations for children which will be offered in schools, to prevent children from getting seriously ill from flu and ending up hospital, and to break the chain of transmission of the virus to the wider population. The nasal flu vaccine is the most effective vaccine for children aged 2-17 years but if this is not suitable the GP or practice nurse may be able to offer a flu vaccine injection as an alternative.
Health and social care workers are to be vaccinated via their own GP Practice as employers are not being paid to administer vaccines to their staff.
COVID-19 Vaccine
- Residents of older-adult care homes
- All adults aged 75 years and over
- Anyone aged 6 months and over who is immunosuppressed/ in a clinical risk group as defined by the ‘Green Book‘, chapter 14a COVID-19
Flu Vaccine
- Pregnant women
- Children
- Aged 2–3 years (on 31 Aug 2025)
- Primary school (Reception–Year 6)
- Secondary school (Year 7–Year 11)
- Any child (6 months–17 years) in a clinical risk group as defined by the ‘Green Book‘, chapter 19 Influenza
- Adults
- Aged 65 years and over
- Aged 18–64 in a clinical risk group (see ‘Green Book’ chapter 19)
- Residents in long-stay care homes
- Carers (carer’s allowance or main carer for an elderly/disabled person)
- Close contacts of immunocompromised people
- Frontline social care workers without employer-led health schemes
If you’re unsure which group you fall into, please get in touch or check these NHS England pages: Flu Vaccine and COVID-19 Vaccine
