Flu vaccination

Flu vaccination is safe and effective. It's offered through the NHS every year in autumn or early winter to help protect children and people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.

Who should have the adult flu vaccine

The flu vaccine is recommended for people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.

It's offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter.

You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:

  • are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2026)
    have certain long-term health conditions
  • are pregnant
  • live in a care home
  • are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer's allowance
  • live with someone who has a weakened immune system
  • Frontline health and social care workers can also get a flu vaccine through their employer.

How to get the adult 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, care home, or their employer if they are a frontline health or social care worker.

Who should have the children's flu vaccine

The children's flu vaccine is offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter.

It's recommended for:

  • children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2025 (born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2023)
  • school-aged children (Reception to Year 11)
  • children aged 6 months to 17 years with certain long-term health conditions

How to get the children's flu vaccine

There are different ways to get the children's flu vaccine.

Children aged 2 or 3 years

To get a flu vaccine for a child aged 2 or 3 years old, you can:

School-aged children (Reception to Year 11)

Most school-aged children (Reception to Year 11) get their flu vaccine at school.

You should get an invitation from your child's school or the School Age Immunisation Service to get their vaccine, usually during the autumn term.

If your child misses their vaccination at school or if they are home-schooled, they should be offered a flu vaccine at a community clinic.

If your child is 4 years old but has not started school yet, they can get vaccinated at either:

  • a community clinic – if they turned 4 years of age on or before 31 August 2025
  • their GP surgery or a pharmacy that offers flu vaccination (from 1 October 2025) – if they turned 4 years of age after 31 August 2025
Children with certain long-term health conditions

Children with certain long-term health conditions that put them at higher risk from flu can get a flu vaccine from their:

  • school (if they're in Reception to Year 11)
  • GP surgery

If your child is in Reception to Year 11, they should get an invitation from their school or the School Age Immunisation Service to have the vaccine, usually during the autumn term.

If your child is not in school or you want to vaccinate your child earlier than when it's offered at school, contact their GP surgery

Living Well Bus

The Living Well Service, delivered by Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, operates on a fully drop-in basis and provides routine immunisations (including flu), health checks and wider well being guidance at the heart of communities.

See the timetable on the Cheshire and Wirral Partnership website for upcoming Living Well clinics near you.

The last date you will be able to get your flu vaccine is 31 March 2026, but it's best to get vaccinated sooner to protect yourself during winter. Online booking will close on 30 March 2026