Winter vaccinations and winter health
There are some things you can do to help yourself stay well in winter. This includes getting your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.
Flu vaccine
Getting your flu vaccine every year, if you’re eligible, tops up your protection and reduces your risk of getting severe symptoms.
Who should have the flu vaccine
Adults at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu, and most children are eligible for the flu vaccine.
hOW TO ACCESS:
If you need medical help, but it’s not an emergency, head to 111.
Where possible, go online to 111.nhs.uk, if you can’t do this, call 111 and a fully-trained advisor will help you.
Useful Links
You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:
- are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2026)
- 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
Frontline health and social care workers can also get a flu vaccine through their employer.
Health conditions that mean you’re eligible for the flu vaccine
The flu vaccine is recommended for people with certain long-term health conditions, including:
- conditions that affect your breathing, such as asthma (needing a steroid inhaler or tablets), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or cystic fibrosis
- heart conditions, such as coronary heart disease or heart failure
- chronic kidney disease
- liver disease, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis
- some conditions that affect your brain or nerves, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy
- diabetes or Addison’s disease
- a weakened immune system due to a condition such as HIV or AIDS, or due to a treatment such as chemotherapy or steroid medicine
- problems with your spleen, such as sickle cell disease, or if you’ve had your spleen removed
- a learning disability
- being very overweight – a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above
Speak to your GP surgery or specialist if you have a health condition and you’re not sure if you’re eligible for the flu vaccine.
The children’s flu vaccine is recommended for:
- children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2025 (born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2023)
- school-aged children (Reception to Year 11)
- children aged 6 months to 17 years with certain long-term health conditions
Health conditions that mean your child is eligible for the children’s flu vaccine
It’s important for children with certain long-term health conditions to have the flu vaccine every year.
This includes children aged 6 months to 17 years who have:
- conditions that affect their breathing, such as asthma (needing a steroid inhaler or tablets) or cystic fibrosis
- had a lung or airways infection in the past that meant they needed to stay overnight in hospital
- serious heart conditions
- kidney or liver disease
- some conditions that affect their brain or nerves, such as cerebral palsy
- diabetes
- a weakened immune system due to a condition or treatment, such as HIV or AIDS, chemotherapy or steroid medicine
- problems with their spleen, such as sickle cell disease, or if they’ve had their spleen removed
- a learning disability
When your child turns 18, they will be eligible for the injected flu vaccine for adults.
If your child has a health condition and you’re not sure if they’re eligible for the flu vaccine, speak to their GP surgery or specialist.
How to get the flu vaccine
If you’re eligible for an NHS flu vaccine, you can:
1, Contact your GP surgery to book an appointment
2, book a free NHS flu vaccination appointment at a pharmacy online or in the NHS App – this service is for adults aged 18 and over, and some pharmacies also vaccinate children aged 2 or 3 years
3, find a pharmacy that offers free NHS flu vaccination where you can get vaccinated without an appointment (walk-in) – this service is for adults aged 18 and over, and some pharmacies also vaccinate children aged 2 or 3 years
Some people may be able to get vaccinated through their maternity service or care home, or through their employer if they’re a frontline health or social care worker.
Most school-aged children (Reception to Year 11) get their flu vaccine at school.
The last date you will be able to get your flu vaccine is 31 March 2026, but it’s best to get vaccinated sooner to protect yourself during winter. Online booking will close on 30 March 2026.
Frontline health and social care workers should get the flu vaccine through their employer.
If you cannot get a flu vaccine through your employer, you can get it at a pharmacy or your GP surgery if you’re employed:
- by a registered residential care or nursing home
- by a registered domiciliary care provider
- by a voluntary managed hospice provider
- through direct payments or personal health budgets