Many schoolchildren will already have received vaccines at school, but there are still options for those who have missed out, says NHS England
NHS England has urged parents to get their children jabbed against flu ‘wildfire’ during half-term as infections surge. Several pop-up vaccination centres are being established at fire stations, bowling alleys, libraries and even football grounds.
Many pupils will have already received flu jabs at school, but opportunities remain for those who missed out. The alert comes after health officials warned of an early flu season and encouraged people to get vaccinated for protection.
Across the Midlands, there are at least six fire station clinics throughout Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent over the coming weeks, including one in Longton on Saturday. A flu van is also calling at a fire station in Lancashire and south Cumbria during half-term.
GP practices can administer flu vaccines to school-age children with specific health conditions and two and three-year-olds. Mothers and fathers can also take pre-school youngsters to chemists for jabs, NHS England confirmed.
Duncan Burton, chief nursing officer for England, said: “It is hugely concerning that flu has hit us early this year, with a worrying increase among children. Flu can spread like wildfire across schools and can make children really unwell.
“The virus changes each year, so vaccination remains the best way to shield your child from getting seriously ill. That’s why we’re making it easier than ever before for children to get the vaccine close to home or at school.
“So I’m urging parents to check their child’s options for flu vaccination as soon as possible; make sure you’ve opted your child in for their in-school vaccine or find your nearest community clinic over half-term.”
NHS England revealed that over 10 million jabs have already been administered in the current drive, including to nearly 1.5 million school-age children and more than 300,000 eligible two and three-year-olds.
Flu jabs are also on offer for everyone aged 65 and above, under-65s in at-risk categories, care home residents and carers, expectant mothers, close contacts of those who are immunocompromised, frontline health and social care staff, as well as children.
In the North West, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital has winged ‘flu fairies’ delivering jabs to young patients. Many flu clinics are available at www.schoolvaccination.uk.
Ruth Goss, senior cardiac nurse with the British Heart Foundation, said: “Anyone with a history of heart and circulatory illnesses is at increased risk of severe illness if they get the flu. If you have had a heart attack, the flu puts you at a greater risk of having another one, and it can exacerbate conditions like heart failure.
“Getting a flu jab takes only five minutes and it can protect you from potentially serious health complications, while supporting the NHS by reducing the number of people needing treatment during the immensely busy winter period.”
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Who can get the flu jab?
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) previously outlined that twelve main groups are eligible to receive their flu jabs this year, with six groups becoming eligible from September 1 and another six from October 1.
From the start of September, those who could roll up their sleeves for the jab included:
From September 1, this included:
- Primary school-aged children (from reception to Year 6)
- Secondary school-aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11)
- All children in clinical risk groups aged from six months to under 18 years
- Pregnant women
- All children aged two or three years old on August 31, 2025
- Children with certain long-term health conditions (aged six months to less than 18 years)
And from October 1, 2025, this included:
- Care home residents
- Carers in receipt of Carer’s Allowance, or those who are a main carer of an elderly or disabled person
- Those living with people who are immunocompromised
- Frontline health and social care workers
- Everyone aged 65 years old and over
- Anyone aged 18 to 65 with long-term health conditions
You can use the NHS app to check if you’re eligible for vaccinations, providing you are registered with a GP in England or the Isle of Man. These immunisations are available at GP surgeries, certain pharmacies, maternity clinics, and care homes.