You can use the NHS app to verify if you are eligible for vaccinations
The NHS and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have urged at-risk groups to book a crucial jab this autumn. Receiving these vaccines will boost your protection and could lower your chances of developing serious illness symptoms in the colder months.
In a post to X, the NHS said: “The COVID-19 vaccine is now available for people most at risk, including those aged 75 and over, care home residents and those with weakened immune systems. If you’re eligible, book your vaccine today.”
Echoing this sentiment, the UKHSA also added this morning: “Have you booked your free NHS COVID-19 vaccination? Check if you’re eligible and book online or via the NHS App now.”
Covid-19 vaccinations are specifically created to help protect against Covid-19, which can be life-threatening for certain groups. While most people don’t require a booster, the NHS generally offers these extra injections to those at greater risk of serious illness.
For the winter Covid-19 vaccination, this specifically concerns the following groups:
- People aged 75 or over (including those who will be 75 by January 31, 2026)
- People aged six months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment
- People who live in a care home for older adults
Official guidance from the NHS website adds: “COVID-19 vaccination is an important part of protecting yourself if you’re at increased risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccines are offered because viruses change and protection fades over time. It’s important to top up your protection if you’re eligible.”
Beyond this, it is also important for numerous Brits to get a flu vaccination this autumn. These jabs are similarly designed to help protect people against influenza. In a previous social media post, the UKHSA detailed that six main groups were eligible to secure their flu vaccinations from September 1 this year, while an additional six qualified from October 1.
From September 1, this included:
- 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)
- 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
And from October 1, 2025, this included:
- Everyone aged 65 years old and over
- Anyone aged 18 to 65 with long-term health conditions
- 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
You can use the NHS app to verify if you’re eligible for vaccinations. These shots are offered at GP surgeries, select pharmacies, maternity clinics, and care homes.
The NHS states that health or social care workers might also receive their vaccination at their workplace. It’s possible to get a flu shot alongside other vaccines, like COVID-19 and shingles vaccines. While the RSV vaccine is typically not given at the same time, the NHS indicates that a doctor might administer both vaccines together if necessary.
Amidst the winter vaccination rollout, Dr Amanda Doyle, national director for Primary Care and Community Services at NHS England, said earlier this month: “It’s concerning to hear flu and COVID-19 cases are already creeping up ahead of winter – but vaccinations remain our best defence against these viruses and can be lifesaving. I urge everyone eligible to come forward for their jabs as soon as they can, with easy to book appointments or drop-in sessions now available closer to home.
“Teams across the country are working hard to make it as easy as possible to get vaccinated at your local GP, pharmacy, school or other community clinic, and for the first time ever parents will be able to get flu vaccines for their two and three year olds at their high-street pharmacy to help busy families protect their children in a way that works for them.
“Get vaccinated today to protect yourself and others around you, it might keep you out of hospital this winter.”
For more information, head to the NHS website.