Thousands of children and pregnant women in the Midlands are set to get their flu vaccinations from this week, as the NHS kicks off its vital autumn vaccine roll out to protect people ahead of winter.   

Expectant mums and all children aged two to 16 years are eligible for the flu vaccine, with this expanding to those aged six months to 18 years in clinical risk groups.   

At the peak of last year’s Midlands’ flu season over Christmas and New Year, 22,800 bed days were taken up by patients with flu.  

Most school-aged children will receive their flu vaccinations at school, but younger children and those who miss their school or nursery session can also get the vaccine at their GP practice or at a community clinic. 

Pregnant women should speak to their maternity team to receive the flu jab at their scheduled maternity appointments, or by contacting their local GP practice or a pharmacy.  

The NHS National Booking System also opened on Monday for all eligible individuals to book their winter flu and Covid-19 vaccinations, with appointments starting from Wednesday 1 October.   

The flu vaccine is estimated to have prevented around 100,000 people from being hospitalised in England last winter by helping protect those at risk from getting seriously ill, particularly during the colder months when people gather indoors and viruses spread.   

Nationally, there were more than 300,000 hospital bed days taken up by patients with flu last winter – almost double the previous winter (175,062 in 2023-24) and close to 50% higher than the year before (216,120 in 2022-23) – adding pressure to NHS services during the busy period.  

The NHS is sending out millions of invitations this month to remind eligible people to come forward as soon as they can, but they do not need to wait for an invitation to book. Those eligible can book quickly and easily on the NHS website, NHS App or by calling 119.  

Roz Lindridge, NHS England Director with responsibility for vaccinations in the Midlands said: “The threat from getting seriously ill from flu and COVID-19 is all too real and each year we see hundreds of thousands of people hospitalised due to these nasty viruses – especially across the winter months.    

“Vaccination is our best defence against these viruses and can be lifesaving – so I would urge mums-to-be, parents of young children and teens, and others who are eligible to come forward or book appointments for their jabs as soon possible, to help protect themselves and loved ones. 

“Flu and covid vaccines are free to those at greatest risk and teams across the country are working hard to make it as quick and easy as possible to get them via local GP practices, pharmacies, in schools and other community clinics, so please do book an appointment today – it could keep you out of hospital this winter.”  

This year, Covid-19 vaccinations are available to adults aged 75 and over, older adult care home residents, and people who are immunosuppressed.   

As well as children and pregnant women, from October the flu vaccination is being offered to everyone aged 65 and over, under 65s in clinical risk groups, care home residents and carers, close contacts of those who are immunosuppressed, frontline social care workers, and health and social care staff. 

For adults eligible for both vaccines the NHS will make flu and COVID-19 jabs available at the same time, providing protection from both viruses in one visit.     

Appointments for Covid-19 vaccinations will be available until Friday 30 January 2026, with flu jabs offered until the end of March 2026, in line with the typical seasons for the viruses.  

Those eligible are being urged to take up the offer as soon as they can to ensure protection ahead of the peak winter virus season, with evidence from UKHSA suggesting the flu season usually peaks in December and January. This means starting adult vaccinations from October will ensure those most at risk are protected during the colder months when people gather indoors and viruses spread. 

Last winter NHS services experienced a mix of seasonal viruses including COVID-19, flu, norovirus and RSV, which is why last month the NHS issued a call for pregnant women to come forward for their RSV jabs to help protect their babies due this winter against respiratory viruses.   

The RSV vaccine was offered to pregnant women and older adults in England for the first time last September and has now helped to protect more than two million eligible people since the rollout kicked off.  

Pregnant mums from 28 weeks onwards can access the RSV jab through their maternity services, or alongside older adults aged 75, via their local GP practice or one of the over 120 community pharmacies delivering the vaccines in the North West, East of England and the Midlands.   

The RSV vaccine is delivered year-round and can be given at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine, but it is recommended to be given separately to the flu vaccine for greater effectiveness.   

Background: 

Based on scientific advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), those eligible for a flu vaccination this Autumn/Winter include -  

From 1 September 2025:  

• pregnant women   

• all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2025   

• primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6)   

• secondary school aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11)   

• all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years   

From 1 October 2025:   

• those aged 65 years and over   

• those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined in the Influenza chapter of the Green Book)   

• 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  

Health and social care staff will also be offered a flu vaccine from their organisation from 1 October 2025, with multiple convenient options to get vaccinated based around working and shift patterns.  

This year’s autumn COVID-19 vaccination programme will run from 1 October 2025 to 31 January 2026 and those eligible include:   

• adults aged 75 years and over   

• residents in a care home for older adults   

• individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed (as defined in the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book).  

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