Flu and Covid Vaccines Autumn 2025

Who can get a flu vaccine?
Who can get a free NHS winter flu vaccination?
You may be eligible if you are in one or more of these groups:
• children aged 2 or 3 years (on 31 August 2025)
• all school aged children (from Reception to Year 11)
• aged 6 months or over in an increased risk group
• pregnant
• aged 65 years or over (by 31 March 2026)
• in a long-stay residential care home
• carers in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
• those living with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone living with HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain
treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)
• frontline workers in a social care setting that do not have access to occupational health
You can check the list of health conditions that may mean you’re eligible for the flu vaccine at www.nhs.uk/fluvaccine

Who can get a COVID-19 vaccine?
Who can get a free NHS winter COVID-19 vaccine?
You may be eligible if you are:
• aged 75 years or over (by 31 January 2026)
• aged 6 months or over and have a weakened immune system
• a resident in a care home for older adults.
It’s recommended that you get an autumn/ winter COVID-19 vaccine 6 months after your last dose. It must be at least 3 months (91 days) since your last
COVID-19 vaccination. You can get your autumn/ winter COVID-19 vaccination regardless of whether you’ve had a COVID-19 vaccination before.
Household contacts of people with a weakened immune system are not eligible.

Can I get an NHS COVID-19 vaccine for travel or other purposes?
If you are not in an eligible group, it is not currently possible to access COVID-19 vaccination for free on the NHS.

Can I buy a COVID-19 vaccine?
People aged 12 and over who are not eligible for a free vaccine on the NHS can buy a COVID-19 vaccine, similar to the flu vaccine. It is extremely unlikely that
healthier/younger individuals will experience serious illness if they catch COVID-19.
You do not need to pay for a COVID-19 vaccine if you are in an eligible group for a seasonal vaccination this autumn/winter. This includes all residents in a care
home for adults, those aged 75 and over (by 31 March 2026) and those with a weakened immune system.

Weakened immune system
Who has a weakened immune system that may mean they’re eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination?
You may have a weakened immune system if you:
• have or had blood cancer (leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma)
• had an organ, bone marrow or stem cell transplant
• have HIV
• have a genetic disorder affecting your immune system
• are having or recently had chemotherapy, biological therapy or radiotherapy
• take steroid medicines, depending on your dosage
• are having immunosuppressive treatment.