Flu vaccination

The flu virus spreads more easily in winter when we spend more time together indoors and can cause serious illness.

Most eligible adults will be able to get their flu vaccine from 1 October 2026 until 31 March 2027.

Pregnant women and all eligible children will start from 1st September 2026. 

It is important to top up your protection, even if you have had a vaccine or been ill with flu before, as immunity fades over time and these viruses change each year.

If you are vaccinated and do catch flu, symptoms are likely to be milder and recovery time will be shorter.

Find out more about the flu vaccine here – https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/flu-vaccine/

How to get your vaccine

You may be able to get a flu vaccine from:

  • your GP surgery
  • a pharmacy that offers NHS flu vaccination (if you’re aged 18 or over)
  • 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)

Visit the NHS National Booking Service here – Book Flu Jab

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Can’t leave your home?

If you are registered as housebound with your GP, arrangements will be made for you to be offered your flu vaccination at home.

If you, or someone you know, is registered as housebound, you do not need to do anything. If your GP Practice is opted-in to deliver vaccines, one of the team will be in touch to offer the vaccinations you are eligible for at home. If your GP Practice is opted-out to deliver vaccines you will be contacted by BANES Enhanced Medical Services (BEMS) Outreach Team who will offer vaccinations to eligible patients.

Visits may not be at the start of the campaign, but you will be contacted before 31 December 2026.

Thank you for your patience.

Check if you are registered as housebound. If you are unsure whether you are registered as housebound, please contact your GP practice to confirm that you are recorded as housebound and that they have the correct contact details.

Co-administration

If you are eligible for both flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, you may be offered both vaccines at the same appointment. It is safe to have them at the same time.

Eligibility

  • All children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2026 – Parents of children who are aged 2 or 3 should contact their GP surgery to book their child’s flu vaccination from 1 September 2026 or visit a pharmacy that offers NHS children’s flu vaccination from 1 October 2026.
  • Children aged 4 who have not started school yet – Parents of children who are aged 4 should visit a community clinic, their GP surgery or a pharmacy that offers flu vaccination. (Children who turned 4 years old on or before 31 August 2026 should visit a community clinic. Children who turned 4 years old after 31 August 2026 should contact their GP surgery or a pharmacy that offers flu vaccination.)
  • Primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 11) – Most school-aged children (Reception to Year 11) get their flu vaccine at school. You should get an invitation from your child’s school or the School Age Immunisation Service to get their vaccine, usually during the autumn term. If your child misses their vaccination at school or if they are home educated (home-schooled), they should be offered a flu vaccine at a community clinic.
  • All children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years – Children with certain long-term health conditions that put them at higher risk from flu can get a flu vaccine from their school (if they’re in Reception to Year 11) or from their GP surgery.
  • Find out more about the child flu vaccine here – https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine/
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