COVID-19 and flu
Those who are eligible for the free COVID-19 and flu vaccines this autumn can now book a vaccination appointment using the national booking service. Find out more.
It is also available from GP practices and pharmacies, however school-aged children will receive a nasal spray vaccination at school, or a catch-up clinic and midwives will offer the vaccines to pregnant women at some antenatal clinics.
To get maximum protection from the vaccines it is advised to have them as soon as possible, before winter takes hold.
You can get both the NHS flu and COVID-19 vaccines if you:
- are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2025)
- have certain health conditions
- are pregnant
- are a frontline health or social care worker
- live in a care home for older adults
Other care home residents, carers and people who live with someone who has a weakened immune system can also get the flu vaccine.
Children aged 2 to 17 can get the children’s flu vaccine. Some children with certain health conditions can get the COVID-19 vaccine.
New respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination programmes
A new RSV programme launched in September.
RSV is a major respiratory virus, common in winter. Symptoms are mild for many but can be severe in older adults (around 9,000 hospitalisations a year) and children under five (around 30,000 hospitalisations in the UK a year).
Programme for older adults aged 75 to 79 years old
All adults who turned 75 years old on or after 1 September 2024 are eligible for the RSV vaccine and will be invited to make an appointment by their GP practice. A one-off catch-up campaign for those who were already aged 75 to 79 years old on 1 September 2024 will be undertaken at the earliest opportunity.
Programme for pregnant women to protect infants
All women who are at least 28 weeks pregnant will be offered the RSV vaccine. Those who are eligible should speak to their maternity service or GP surgery to get the vaccine, which will provide vital protection for their baby.