Full list of who can get free NHS flu vaccine, when and where

Full list of who can get free NHS flu vaccine, when and where The flu vaccine is offered on the NHS every year in autumn or winter to people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu – check if you are eligible Influenza, commonly referred to as flu, is a widespread illness that comes on quickly. While the majority of sufferers recover without medical intervention, some sufferers can become dangerously unwell. Most people who contract flu will recover within a few days to under two weeks, though some may develop complications (such as pneumonia) as a result, which can prove fatal in some cases. The flu jab offers protection against the virus, and is available on the NHS each autumn or winter to those most vulnerable to serious illness. Most eligible people can get the flu vaccine from October 1, 2026. Some people, including anyone who is pregnant, can get vaccinated from September 1, 2026. Flu symptoms Flu symptoms come on very quickly and can include: - a sudden high temperature - feeling tired or exhausted - a headache - a sore throat - a dry cough - an aching body - loss of appetite - difficulty sleeping Symptoms are broadly similar in children, though they may also experience earache, sore eyes, swollen glands and reduced energy levels. Who can get a flu vaccine through the NHS? You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you: - are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by March 31, 2027) - are pregnant - live in a care home - are aged 18 to 64 and have certain long-term health conditions - are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer's allowance - are experiencing homelessness or staying in a homeless hostel or night shelter - live with someone who has a weakened immune system Children aged two to three years, school-aged children (Reception to Year 11) and children with certain long-term health conditions can also get the flu vaccine. Where can I get the flu vaccine? You may be able to get the flu vaccine from your GP surgery or a pharmacy. If you're pregnant you may be able to get the vaccine through your maternity service, while care home residents may be able to get their vaccine at the care home. If you are a health or social care worker you may be able to get the vaccine at work. Children born between September 1, 2022, and August 31, 2024, can receive the flu vaccine at their GP surgery from September 1, or from a pharmacy offering NHS children's flu vaccination from October 1. If your child is four years old but has not yet started school, they can be vaccinated at a community clinic if they turned four years old on or before August 31, 2026, or at their GP surgery or a pharmacy offering flu vaccination if they turned four after August 31, 2026. Most school-aged children (Reception to Year 11) receive their flu vaccine at school. You should receive an invitation from your child's school or the School Age Immunisation Service to arrange their vaccine, typically during the autumn term. If your child misses their vaccination at school or is home-educated, they should be offered a flu vaccine at a community clinic.