Health and wellbeing Don’t let Covid and Flu cost you this Winter

Bugs like Flu and Covid-19 can hit families during the Winter, especially older people, pregnant mums and people with underlying health conditions.

Getting vaccinated is free and helps to protect your family’s health, your time, and your wallet. So, see if you or your family are eligible for a free NHS covid booster or flu jab this winter. 
 
Flu jabs 

From September 1 2026, the following groups are eligible for a free flu jab:

• pregnant women

• all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2026

• primary school and secondary school-aged children, from reception to year 11

• young people aged 17 and over attending a special educational needs (SEN) school who are also in a clinical risk group

• all children in clinical risk groups, from 6 months to less than 18 years

From 1 October 2026, the following groups become eligible for a free flu jab:

• everyone aged 65 years and over

• all adults in clinical risk groups, from age 18 to under 65

• residents of long-stay residential care homes

• carers in receipt of carer's allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person

• close contacts of people who are immunocompromised

• rough sleepers and those using homeless hostels or night shelters aged 16 years and over

• frontline social care workers without access to an employer-led occupational health scheme, including those working in:

• registered residential care or nursing homes

• domiciliary care

• voluntary managed hospices

• personal assistants employed through direct payments or personal health budgets  

Covid-19 Winter vaccination  
 
You can get a COVID-19 vaccine if you:

• are aged 75 or over (including those who will be 75 by 31 January 2027)

• are aged 6 months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment

• live in a care home for older adults 
   
  How to get the Covid 19 vaccination

If you're eligible for the winter COVID-19 vaccine, you can book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment online or in the NHS App now.

Vaccination appointments will take place from 1 October 2026.

From 1 October 2026, you may also be able to get vaccinated at:

• a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site

• a local service, such as a community pharmacy or your GP surgery

• your care home (if you live in a care home for older adults)

You do not need to wait for an invitation before booking an appointment.

Vaccines take about two weeks to work, so don’t wait!

Why it matters 

Getting flu, Covid-19 or RSV can do more than make you feel unwell — it can:

• Keep you off work or school

• Disrupt family plans

• Cost money if you don’t get sick pay or free prescriptions

• Cause serious and life-threatening illness in older, very young or unwell family members