Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations
It’s important to get your winter flu and COVID-19 vaccinations if you’re eligible. Getting vaccinated every year will top up your protection and reduce your risk of getting severe symptoms.
Who should have the flu and COVID-19 vaccines
You can get both the NHS flu and COVID-19 vaccines if you:
- are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2025)
- have certain health conditions
- are pregnant
- live in a care home for older adults
Other care home residents, carers and people who live with someone who has a weakened immune system can get the flu vaccine.
Children aged 2 or 3 years and school-aged children (Reception to Year 11) can get the children’s flu vaccine.
Frontline health and social care workers can also get flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
How to get the flu vaccine
If you’re eligible for an NHS flu vaccine, you can:
- book a flu vaccination appointment at a pharmacy online or in the NHS App (if you’re aged 18 or over)
- find a pharmacy that offers NHS flu vaccination (if you’re aged 18 or over)
- contact your GP surgery to book an appointment
Some people may be able to get vaccinated through their maternity service or care home.
Children aged 2 and 3 years old can get the children’s flu vaccine at their GP surgery. School-aged children will get their vaccine through their school or a community clinic.
How to get the COVID-19 vaccine
If you’re eligible for the winter COVID-19 vaccine, you can:
- book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment online or in the NHS App
- go to a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site
Some people may be able to get vaccinated through a local service, such as a community pharmacy or GP surgery, or a care home if they live in a care home.
Find out more about the COVID-19 vaccine and how to get it
Other vaccinations
You may also be eligible for other vaccinations, including the:
- pneumococcal vaccine (if you’re aged 65 or over)
- RSV vaccine (if you’re pregnant or aged 75 to 79 – if you turned 80 on or after 1 September 2024, you’re also eligible for the vaccine until 31 August 2025)
These vaccinations help protect against serious illnesses that are more common in the winter, including pneumonia.