Children and pregnant women can now have their flu vaccinations, as the NHS begins its vital autumn vaccine roll out to protect people ahead of winter.
Expectant mums and all children aged two to 16 years are eligible for the flu vaccine, with this expanding to those aged six months to 18 years in clinical risk groups.
Parents and carers of children who attend school will be asked to complete a consent form which gives permission for their child to receive the free flu nasal spray at school. The nasal spray is painless, quick and effective and offers the best protection against flu this winter.
Having the flu vaccine will help protect your child from what can be a serious illness. If your child is vaccinated and catches flu their symptoms will be milder and their recovery quicker. Vaccinating them also helps protect other people who are at greater risk of getting seriously ill from flu, such as older relatives.
Pre-school children aged two and three years can also receive a free flu vaccination nasal spray. This is offered to eligible two and three-year-olds attending nurseries attached to schools, or you can book an appointment at your GP practice or local participating pharmacy. Details of these can be found here.
Pregnant women should speak to their maternity team to receive the flu jab at their scheduled maternity appointments, or by contacting their local GP practice or a pharmacy.
The flu vaccine is estimated to have prevented around 100,000 people from being hospitalised in England last winter by helping protect those at risk from getting seriously ill, particularly during the colder months when people gather indoors and viruses spread.
The NHS National Booking System also opens for all eligible individuals to book their winter flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, with appointments starting from Wednesday 1 October.
Who is eligible for a flu vaccination?
From 1 September 2025:
- pregnant women
- all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2025
- 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 6 months to less than 18 years
From 1 October 2025:
- those aged 65 years and over
- those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups
- those in 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 immunocompromised individuals
- frontline workers in a social care setting.
This year’s autumn COVID-19 vaccination programme will run from 1 October 2025 to 31 January 2026 and those eligible include:
- adults aged 75 years and over
- residents in a care home for older adults
- individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed
Find out more about flu vaccinations on the NHS website.