Vaccinations

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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:

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:

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.

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