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 before respiratory viruses reach their peak during the winter months.
Why the rollout starts in October
Flu becomes more prevalent in colder months as people spend more time indoors and in close contact with others, making it easier for the virus to spread. While most cases resolve with rest, some people can become seriously ill.
The NHS is urging those at higher risk of serious illness to get the flu vaccine from October. The flu jab is offered free every autumn and early winter to certain groups, including older adults aged 65 and over.
Who is eligible for the vaccine
NHS England, together with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), confirmed the vaccine will be offered to people in this age group 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-aged children, and all children in clinical risk groups from six months to under 18 years.
Timing based on JCVI advice
Flu typically peaks around December and January, so the vaccine is offered later in the year to ensure effectiveness when the virus is circulating. As flu circulation in children usually precedes that in adults, the children’s programme starts earlier. Protection in children lasts “much longer,” so an earlier start could reduce flu rates in older adults “through indirect protection.”
The later adult start date 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.
“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 at 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.
