Autumn and Winter Vaccinations

For many people, particularly those with certain health conditions, older people and pregnant women, COVID-19 and Flu can be very dangerous and even life-threatening.

Every winter, thousands die from flu and people can still get very ill or die from COVID-19. Catching both viruses over winter increases the risk of serious illness even further.

Vaccines are our best protection against flu and COVID-19. Over the last few years, they have kept tens of thousands of people out of hospital and helped to save countless lives.

In winter, flu and COVID-19 spread more easily as we spend more time indoors. Getting these vaccines ahead of winter are two of the most important things you can do to keep yourself and others around you safe and get ‘winter strong’

From the 1st of September 2025, the following cohorts are eligible to receive a flu vaccination:

• Pregnant woman
• All children aged 2 or 3 years on 31st August 2025
• Primary school agreed 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 October 2025 (exact date to be confirmed), the following cohorts are eligible to receive a flu vaccination:

• Those aged 65 years and over
• Those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups
• Those in long-stag 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 without an employer led occupational health scheme including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and those that are employed by those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or a Personal Health budget, such as Personal Assistants.

NHS England recommends that most flu jabs should be given by the end of November 2025 to ensure optimal winter protection.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has updated its advice for the autumn 2025 COVID-19 vaccination programme, which has been accepted by ministers. The focus of the programme is shifting towards targeted vaccination of those at highest risk of serious disease.

For autumn 2025, COVID-19 vaccination will be offered to:

• adults aged 75 years and over
• residents in care homes for older adults
• individuals who are immunosuppressed aged 6 months and over

This represents a change from the autumn 2024 programme, which also included adults aged 65 to 74 and all those aged 6 months and over in a clinical risk group.

The eligibility is the same across the 4 nations of the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland).

The vaccine should usually be offered no earlier than around 6 months after the last vaccine dose. If you are eligible, you can get protection from an autumn COVID-19 vaccination even if you have not taken up a COVID-19 vaccine offer in the past.

Winter flu and COVID-19 vaccinations starting early autumn/winter, including visits to residents of care homes and people who are housebound.

Other eligible adults can book their COVID-19 vaccine from early autumn, on the NHS App or by visiting www.nhs.uk/seasonalvaccinations.

Those who can’t get online can also make a booking at one of the same sites by calling 119 for free. Some areas will also be offering local walk-in COVID-19 vaccinations.

Eligible under-18s will be able to book the COVID-19 vaccine from October.

Adult flu vaccinations can be booked now through your GP practice or local pharmacy, and some people may be offered their vaccinations directly by a local NHS service.

Most people will receive both vaccines at a GP practice or a local pharmacy. School- aged children will get their flu vaccine through schools and community venues and those aged 2-3 years old or with certain health conditions can get the flu vaccine at their GP practice.

If you are pregnant, you may also be able to get the flu and COVID-19 vaccines through your local maternity service. You will be eligible at any stage of their pregnancy to help protect you and your baby.

Both vaccines have a good safety and effectiveness record. Their side-effects are generally mild and do not last for more than a few days.

We encourage you to get both vaccines in the same visit where possible, to get protected against both viruses in just a few minutes. If this is not possible, it is better to get each vaccine as soon as you can rather than waiting.   You can find out the latest information about both vaccines and how to book by visiting www.nhs.uk/seasonalvaccinations.

We will be holding our Winter Vaccination day on Thursday 9th October and Wednesday 15th October

Booking a vaccine is quick and easy, it usually takes just a few minutes. Please contact us on 01484 714349

We will be sending a PATCHS text message to allow you to self book appointments, when you receive a text invite there will be a link to book an appointment for Flu and/or COVID Vaccine.

Protect yourself this winter. Get your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. Get winter strong.