Flu and COVID-19 spread more easily during winter when people spend more time indoors together. Both viruses can have a serious impact on older people, particularly those with underlying health conditions. Vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalisation and complications. If people do catch flu after vaccination, they are more likely to experience milder symptoms, recover more quickly and be less likely to need hospital treatment.

It is important to get vaccinated each year, even if you have had flu before or received a flu vaccine in previous years. Protection reduces over time and flu viruses change each year.

Last winter, the flu vaccination programme prevented an estimated 100,000 hospital admissions and 7,000 deaths.

We encourage everyone eligible to take up the offer of free NHS vaccinations as soon as possible.

Who is eligible?

• People aged 65 and over are eligible for a free NHS flu vaccination from 1 October 2026.
• People aged 75 and over are eligible for a free NHS COVID-19 vaccination from 1 October 2026.
• Residents of care homes for older adults are eligible for both programmes.
• Carers and frontline health and social care workers are also eligible for a free flu vaccination.

Eligible people should aim to have their vaccinations as early as possible to maximise protection over winter.

How to Get Vaccinated

• Wait for the NHS to contact you via letter, text, or the NHS App.
• Book an appointment online through the Winter vaccinations and winter health – NHS or by calling 119 once booking opens.
• Attend a local GP surgery, participating community pharmacy, or walk-in vaccination site. NHS Walk-in Vaccination Site Finder

Additional Protection

Older people may also be eligible for:

• RSV vaccination (for people aged 75 and over and care home residents)
• Pneumococcal vaccination (for people aged 65 and over)

These vaccines help protect against serious respiratory infections and complications such as pneumonia.

Further information and resources:

• Campaign toolkit available here – Public Winter vaccinations | Winter vaccinations | Campaign Resource Centre. This includes key campaign messages, stakeholder communications resources, social media content and a range of accessible and translated materials to support local promotion of winter vaccinations.
• Winter vaccinations and winter health – NHS
• When can I get my flu vaccine? Information for adults offered a flu vaccine on the NHS
• All about flu and how to stop getting it – Simple version – adults

Why it matters

By raising awareness of winter vaccinations and encouraging uptake, you can help older people stay healthy, independent and protected throughout the winter months. Vaccination can help reduce hospital admissions, prevent serious illness and support people to remain well in their own homes and communities.

How can you support?

• Share key vaccination messages with older residents, carers and families.
• Promote eligibility and vaccination dates through your networks and community contacts.
• Encourage conversations about vaccination during routine interactions and wellbeing checks.
• Signpost people to trusted NHS information and local vaccination services.
• Support care homes, community groups and voluntary organisations to raise awareness of the programme.

Protect yourself and those you support this winter

If you are eligible for a free flu or COVID-19 vaccination, don’t put it off. Take up the offer as soon as possible to help protect yourself and those around you from serious illness this winter.

Thank you for your support

Thank you for supporting this year’s winter vaccination campaign. Every conversation counts. By sharing information and encouraging eligible older people to take up their vaccination offer, you can help protect those most at risk of serious illness and support residents to stay healthy, independent and well throughout the winter.