People with certain health conditions are being urged to visit their GP from October 1 to get a flu jab ahead of winter. The flu vaccine is offered for free on the NHS every year in autumn and early winter to people who are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill from the virus.
Flu becomes particularly prevalent during the colder months as more time is spent indoors and in close contact with others, making it easier for the virus to spread. While in most cases flu will get better on its own, for some it can lead to more serious illness, but this risk is reduced by getting the flu vaccine.
Who becomes eligible on October 1
The free flu jab has been made available to millions of children and pregnant women from September as part of the first phase of the vaccine rollout, but from October 1, more people will become eligible. This includes older adults aged 65 and over, adults with some long-term health conditions and care home residents.
Parents of two- and three-year-olds will also be able to book an appointment at participating community pharmacies through the National Booking Service from October.
Why the start date is later for adults
According to the NHS, flu typically peaks around December and January, so the decision has been made to offer the vaccine to older adults later in the year, from October 1, to ensure its effectiveness when the virus is circulating.
As flu circulation in children normally precedes that in adults, the children’s programme got underway earlier from September. Protection from the vaccine also lasts "much longer" in children, so an earlier start date for the vaccine rollout could reduce flu rates in older adults "through indirect protection".
The later October start date for the adult vaccination programme comes based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
Official confirmation and eligible groups
Confirming the adult flu vaccine rollout in a letter last month, Dr Thomas Waite, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, Dr Mary Ramsay, Director of Public Health Programmes, UKHSA and Caroline Temmink, Director of Vaccination, NHS England, said: “In line with the advice from JCVI, the start of the adult programme for 2026 to 2027 will continue to be 1 October.
“This start date is based on evidence of the waning of flu vaccine’s effectiveness in adults which means that it is preferable to vaccinate individuals closer to the time when the flu virus is likely to circulate.
“As flu typically peaks in December or January, this will provide optimal protection during the highest risk period, even in early seasons such as we saw in 2025 to 2026 season.”
From Thursday, October 1, the following groups will become eligible for a free flu vaccine:
- everyone aged 65 years and over
- 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, and personal assistants employed through direct payments or personal health budgets
The 10 conditions that qualify
According to the NHS, the following 10 health conditions mean that you are eligible to receive the flu vaccine for free this year and should book an appointment from October:
- conditions that affect your breathing, such as asthma (needing a steroid inhaler or tablets), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or cystic fibrosis
- heart conditions, such as coronary heart disease or heart failure
- chronic kidney disease
- liver disease, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis
- some conditions that affect your brain or nerves, such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy
- diabetes or Addison's disease
- a weakened immune system due to a condition such as HIV or AIDS, or due to a treatment such as chemotherapy or steroid medicine
- problems with your spleen, such as sickle cell disease, or if you've had your spleen removed
- a learning disability
- being very overweight – a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above
If you have a health condition that is not included on this list and you’re not sure if you are eligible for the flu jab, the NHS advises speaking to your GP surgery to check.
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Yvette Cooper said: “Vaccinations play a vital role in protecting those most at risk from flu and they are also crucial for relieving pressures on our NHS over the winter months.
“Everyone who is eligible for a free vaccination will be notified through their phone or in the post. Together, we can save lives, support the most vulnerable, and ensure our NHS is there for everyone who needs it this winter.”
