When will ‘Flu clinics start?
Most bookable clinics will start at the beginning of October 2025. Some eligible patients will be invited to be vaccinated during September 2025.
Who is eligible for ‘Flu Immunisation in 2025-2026?
- pregnant women
- all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2025
- primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6)-will be done by the school nurse
- secondary school aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11)-will be done by the school nurse
- all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years (individuals with underlying health conditions such as Asthma, COPD, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, neurological conditions, diabetes and weakened immune systems)-will be done by the surgery
- those aged 65 years and over
- those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (individuals with underlying health conditions such as Asthma, COPD, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, neurological conditions, diabetes and weakened immune systems)
- those in long-stay 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 Personal Health budgets, such as Personal Assistants
Will I be invited by the surgery?
Yes, all eligible patients will be invited by text message, e mail, letter or phone call. You can book in person at the surgery, get in touch by phone or online. We will send you a link for online booking for an appointment that suits your schedule or we will book you a specific appointment. Booking links have started being sent out to patients since August 1st 2025 and some patients should have received these already.
Housebound patients
Flu vaccinations for housebound patients and those in care homes will be delivered by the local PCN team. Dates for these visits will be communicated soon.
Why is it important to get vaccinated against ‘Flu?
- Protection from illness:
The flu vaccine helps your body develop antibodies to fight off influenza viruses, reducing your risk of getting sick. - Reduced severity of illness:
If you do get the flu despite being vaccinated, the symptoms are likely to be milder and last for a shorter duration. - Prevention of complications:
Flu can lead to serious complications like pneumonia, bronchitis, and even death, especially in vulnerable individuals. Vaccination significantly lowers the risk of these complications. - Protection of vulnerable individuals:
By getting vaccinated, you help protect those around you who are at higher risk, such as infants, the elderly, and people with chronic health conditions. - Community protection:
Flu vaccination helps reduce the overall spread of the virus in the community, benefiting everyone. - Annual vaccination:
The flu virus changes each year, so a new vaccine is needed annually to protect against the dominant strains circulating in a given flu season. - Not just a bad cold:
Flu is different from the common cold and can be much more severe, leading to significant illness and potential complications.
Will I be offered other vaccines at the same time?
Yes, if you are eligible. You can have the flu vaccine at the same time as other vaccines such as the COVID-19, shingles and pneumococcal vaccines. It’s not usually given at the same time as the RSV vaccine, but you can have them at the same time if a doctor or nurse thinks it’s needed.
Get more information here