It’s that time of year again and winter is fast approaching. Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s winter vaccination campaign.
Getting the flu vaccine
Each year, flu can cause serious illness – especially in vulnerable groups. Getting vaccinated helps:
- Protect individuals at highest risk
- Reduce flu-related hospitalisations and severe illness
- Prevent transmission in the community
- Supports children and those in care homes
Flu strains change each year, so a new vaccine is needed annually. This year’s programme runs from 1 September 2025 to 31 March 2026.
Who Can Get the Flu Vaccine?
From 1 September 2025, the following groups are eligible:
- Pregnant women
- Children aged 2 or 3 on 31 August 2025
- Children aged 6 months to under 18 in clinical at-risk groups
- All primary and secondary school children (Reception to Year 11)*
*School-aged children will mainly be vaccinated by the School Immunisation Service, though parents may request vaccination at the surgery if preferred.
From 1 October 2025 the following groups will also be eligible:
- All adults aged 65 and over
- Adults aged 18–64 in clinical risk groups
- Care home residents
- Carers and main care providers
- Close contacts of people who are immunocompromised
- Frontline health and social care workers
This winter toddlers aged 2-3 will also be able to get a flu vaccine at their local community pharmacy.
Housebound Patients and Care Homes
Flu vaccinations for housebound patients and those in care homes will be delivered by local GP Practices and Primary Care Networks.
Autumn Covid Vaccinations
Covid vaccination eligibility is different from the flu vaccine. Those who can get Covid vaccinations are the following:
- Adults aged 75 and over
- Individuals in a specific high-risk clinical group
- Residents in older adult care homes
What Happens Next – Booking an appointment
Some GP Practices will contact you directly if you are eligible to book an appointment at one of their flu clinics. If you are pregnant, you may be offered a vaccine by your maternity clinic.
From 1 October, flu vaccines will start being rolled out to anyone eligible, with people encouraged to book an appointment with a pharmacy or their GP via the NHS App online or by calling 119. After 1 October people will be able to use the pharmacy finder to find walk-in appointments.
If you’re eligible for the winter COVID-19 vaccine, you can book an appointment online via the NHS App or by calling 119. You can also book a vaccination appointment for a child aged 5 years or over if they are eligible.
For more information about vaccinations, please visit Surrey Heartlands Vaccinations
Let’s stay healthy this winter. Get vaccinated. Protect yourself. Protect others.
