Information about the flu and getting vaccinated

Most eligible adults will be able to get their flu vaccine from 1 October. This may be later than you’ve had the vaccine before, but it means you’ll have the best protection when flu is most likely to be circulating widely (December to February). Pregnant women and children will be able to get the flu vaccine from September as protection from vaccination lasts much longer in children than in adults (especially older adults).

The flu vaccine programme focuses on those at greatest risk of getting seriously ill.

Flu often peaks over the festive and New Year period. Nobody wants to miss out on the festive celebrations with their friends and family this winter and the vaccines provide the best possible protection.

School-age children

Parents of children who are aged 2 or 3 (on or before 31 August 2025) should contact their GP surgery to book their child’s flu vaccination.

School-aged children (from reception to Year 11) will mainly be offered their flu vaccinations at school.

There will be further opportunities for children to get vaccinated in NHS community clinics (including for the home educated).

• For most children the vaccine is a nasal spray, not an injection. It is quick and painless.

• Pregnant women are eligible for the seasonal flu vaccine if they are pregnant at any time in the flu season, as well as whooping cough and RSV vaccines at certain times during their pregnancy. Pregnant women should speak to their GP or midwife for more information.

• Pregnant women are vaccinated against RSV and whooping cough to protect their newborn baby but there are 3 reasons for pregnant women to get vaccinated against flu; the pregnant woman herself, the unborn baby and the newborn baby are all at risk of getting seriously ill from flu.

• All those eligible are urged to join the millions of others who have their free flu vaccine to help them stay strong this winter – don’t put it off, book your appointment today and arm yourself against the risk of severe illness.

People with long-term health conditions 

Flu spreads more easily in winter because we spend more time indoors with others. Flu causes serious illness for people with certain long- term health conditions.

• If you have liver disease, you are around 48 times more likely to die from flu.

• If you are immunosuppressed, you are around 47 times more likely to die from flu.

• If you have neurological disease, you are around 40 times more likely to die from flu.

• If you have from kidney disease, you are around 19 times more likely to die from flu.

• Those with heart disease are around 11 times more likely to die from flu.

• Those with respiratory disease are around 7 times more likely to die from flu.

• Those with diabetes are around 6 times more likely to die from flu.

People with a learning disability and their carers

• Every year in England, lots of people get flu in winter. Flu is a virus that makes you feel ill.

• Some people with a learning disability are more likely to be very ill if they get flu.

• The best way to avoid getting flu is to have a flu vaccine. This is an injection and it is free.

• You can have the flu vaccine at your GP surgery or at a pharmacy.

• If you are scared of needles, tell a nurse. You may be able to have the vaccine as a spray instead.

• Family carers and paid support workers may be able to have the free flu vaccine so they don’t pass flu on to you.

• An easy read leaflet is available: Protect yourself from flu, have the flu vaccine.