The 2026/27 flu vaccination season will commence from 1 October 2026.
Flu (influenza) is an illness that can be serious and can affect your nose, throat and sometimes the lungs. You can catch flu all year round, but it’s especially common in winter, which is why it’s also known as seasonal flu.
The flu virus spreads more easily in winter when we spend more time together indoors and can cause serious illness.
Healthy individuals usually recover within two to seven days, but for some the disease can lead to hospitalisation, permanent disability or even death.
Most eligible adults will be able to get their flu vaccine from 1 October 2026 until 31 March 2027.
Pregnant women and all eligible children will start from 1st September 2026.
It is important to top up your protection, even if you have had a vaccine or been ill with flu before, as immunity fades over time and these viruses change each year.
If you are vaccinated and do catch flu, symptoms are likely to be milder and recovery time will be shorter.
How to get the free NHS flu vaccination
If you are eligible, book your flu vaccination now. You can use the NHS app to book, use the links on this page, or visit a walk-in clinic, no appointment needed. These walk-in clinics are both in the community and in local pharmacies.
You may be able to get a flu vaccine from:
- your GP surgery
- a pharmacy that offers NHS flu vaccination (if you’re aged 18 or over)
- your maternity service (if you’re pregnant)
- your care home (if you live in a care home)
- your employer (if you’re a health or social care worker)
Can’t leave your home?
If you are registered as housebound with your GP, arrangements will be made for you to be offered your flu vaccination at home. If you are unsure whether you are registered as housebound, please contact your GP practice.
Co-administration
If you are eligible for both flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, you may be offered both vaccines at the same appointment. It is safe to have them at the same time.
How to get the free flu vaccination for 2-3 year olds
Children aged 2 and 3 will be able to get their pain-free, squirt up the nose flu vaccination at:
- your general practice surgery
- participating community pharmacies
Watch our Flu Fighter videos to see how your child can become a flu fighting superhero.
Participating community pharmacies
Who can have the free NHS flu vaccination?
If you can have the NHS flu vaccination, your general practice surgery will let you know in autumn or early winter about how you can have your vaccination.
Speak to your general practice surgery if you have not been contacted by the mid October, but you think you are eligible.
You can have the free NHS flu vaccination if you, or someone you care for:
You can also download this UKHSA leaflet about the flu vaccination, who should have it and why including information for parents and pregnant women.
Why should I get the flu vaccination?
Catching flu often means days of bed rest and missing work. Getting the flu vaccination is the best way to help avoid this and to help prevent those around you from catching and spreading the flu virus.
Getting vaccinated is also especially important for certain people who are more likely to have severe symptoms and develop flu complications, like pneumonia and bronchitis. This includes:
What is the flu vaccination?
The flu vaccination helps the body to produce protective antibodies to fight against the influenza viruses that cause the flu.
Flu vaccinations are safe and work well. The NHS offers them every year to help protect people who might get really sick from the flu.
The best time to get your flu vaccination is in the autumn, before the flu virus starts spreading.
The flu virus changes a little bit every year, so this winter’s flu might be a bit different from last year’s. People need to have the flu vaccination every year to stay protected.
