Each autumn or early winter, the NHS provides these jabs to people who are at higher risk of serious illness
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is reminding certain vulnerable groups to book an important vaccination from this month onwards. Its message is particularly crucial for pregnant women, children, and anyone over 65 years old, as well as various other people.
In a post to X yesterday, the Government agency said: “Booking is now open for your free NHS flu vaccination. Check if you’re eligible and book online or via the NHS App for appointments from 1 October.”
Flu vaccinations are designed to help safeguard against the flu, which can be life-threatening for certain groups. Each autumn or early winter, the NHS provides these jabs to people who are at higher risk of serious illness.
According to the UKHSA’s social media post, six key groups are eligible to book their flu vaccination from September 1 this year. These include the following:
- 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
Meanwhile, the following six groups can have flu vaccination appointments from October 1, 2025:
- 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
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You can check your eligibility for a flu vaccination using the NHS app. These jabs are available at GP surgeries, certain pharmacies, maternity services, and care homes.
The NHS explains that health or social care workers may also be able to get a vaccination at their place of work. You can have a flu vaccine at the same time as other jabs, such as the COVID-19 and shingles vaccines.
Although it’s not usually administered at the same time as the RSV vaccine, the NHS claims that a doctor may do so if they believe it is necessary. Further NHS guidance adds: “Most people who are eligible for the flu vaccine can have it.
“You only cannot have the vaccine if you’ve had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the vaccine or an ingredient in the vaccine. Some of the flu vaccines used in the UK contain egg protein. Tell the person vaccinating you if you have an egg allergy.”
Common side effects of the flu vaccine include pain where the injection was given, a slightly raised body temperature, and aches all over. These typically get better on their own within one or two days.
It’s important to note that injected vaccines in the UK do not contain live flu viruses. Therefore, they cannot give you the flu.
For more information, head to the NHS website.