The flu vaccine is offered every year through the NHS to help protect people at risk of getting seriously ill from flu.
Flu can be unpleasant but if you're otherwise a healthy person it will usually clear up on its own within a week, however, it can be more severe for certain people and can cause serious complications.
When you can get a flu vaccine
Most eligible people can get their flu vaccine from Thursday, 1 October 2026.
If you're pregnant, you can get your vaccine, from Tuesday, 1 September 2026.
Who can get a flu vaccine
You can get a free flu vaccine if you:
- Are aged 65 or over
- Are pregnant
- Are aged 18 to 64 and have certain long-term health conditions
- Live in a care home
- Receive Carer's Allowance or are the main carer for an older or disabled person
- Work in frontline health or social care
- Live with or care for someone with a weakened immune system
- Are experiencing homelessness or staying in a hostel, night shelter or temporary accommodation
Children eligible for a flu vaccine
Children can get a free flu vaccine if they are:
- Aged 2 or 3 years old
- In primary or secondary school
- Aged 6 months to 18 years and have certain long-term health conditions
Health conditions that make you eligible
The flu vaccine is recommended if you have a long-term health condition, including:
- Respiratory conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or cystic fibrosis
- Heart conditions such as coronary heart disease or heart failure
- Chronic kidney disease
- Liver disease, including cirrhosis or hepatitis
- Neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy
- Diabetes or Addison's disease
- A weakened immune system because of a medical condition, chemotherapy or steroid treatment
- Problems with your spleen, including sickle cell disease, or if your spleen has been removed
- A learning disability
- Having a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above
If you're not sure whether you're eligible, contact your GP surgery or specialist for advice.
How to get a flu vaccine
If you're eligible, you can get your vaccine from:
- Your GP surgery. Find your local GP or pharmacy
- A pharmacy that offers NHS flu vaccination (if you're aged 18 or over). Book or manage a free NHS flu vaccination at a pharmacy
- At your maternity clinic, if you're pregnant.
- At your care home, if you live in a residential care home.
Children can get their flu vaccine from:
- Their school, if they're in primary or secondary school.
- From their GP or a local pharmacy, if they're 2-3 years old.
You can also book, change or cancel a flu vaccination online.
Why you should get a flu vaccine
The best way to protect yourself from getting unwell is to get vaccinated.
Flu viruses can change from one winter to the next. Flu vaccines are updated each winter to give protection against the strains of flu that are most likely to be going around.
Help protect yourself, others and the NHS by getting vaccinated each year to boost your protection against these viruses.
Flu vaccine for adults including frontline health and social care workers
Flu can be more severe for certain people and can cause serious complications.
Find out who's eligible, where to get the flu vaccine and more.
Flu vaccine for children
The children's nasal spray flu vaccine is safe and effective. It's offered every year to children to help protect them against flu.
Find out who's eligible, where to get the flu vaccine and more.
More information
- Flu vaccine - NHS
- Influenza (Flu) vaccine fact-sheet – Information for patients, parents and carers - GOV.UK
- Why vaccination is important and the safest way to protect yourself - NHS
- COVID-19 vaccinations