NHS England has confirmed that adults aged 65 and over will be offered the seasonal flu vaccine from October 1. The rollout is scheduled to begin in the autumn, before respiratory viruses reach their peak during the winter.
Why the timing matters
Flu becomes more common in colder months as people spend more time indoors and in close contact with others, making it easier for the virus to spread. Most people recover with rest, but the virus can cause serious illness in some.
The NHS urges those at higher risk of serious illness to get vaccinated. The flu jab is offered free every year in autumn and early winter to certain groups, including older adults.
Who is included in the rollout
NHS England, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) confirmed that the vaccine will be offered to people aged 65 and over from October 1. The rollout also includes people aged 18 to 65 in clinical risk groups, those in long-stay residential care homes, carers receiving Carer's Allowance, close contacts of immunocompromised people, and frontline social care workers.
A separate rollout begins September 1 for pregnant women, children aged two or three on August 31, 2026, primary and secondary school children, and all children in clinical risk groups from six months to under 18 years.
Advice from health officials
Flu typically peaks in December and January, so offering the vaccine to older adults later in the year ensures effectiveness when the virus is circulating. Since flu in children usually precedes that in adults, the children's programme starts earlier. Protection in children lasts longer, which may reduce flu rates in older adults through indirect protection.
The later start date for adults follows advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). In a letter last month, Dr Thomas Waite, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, Dr Mary Ramsay, Director of Public Health Programmes at UKHSA, and Caroline Temmink, Director of Vaccination at 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.”
They added: “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.”
The NHS will notify people in autumn or winter when the vaccine is available, either from a GP surgery or a pharmacy offering NHS flu vaccination. Most vaccinations are expected to be completed by the end of November to ensure protection ahead of winter.
