From 1 October, eligible people across the Midlands including those aged 65 and over, residents of care homes, adults with long-term conditions, carers, those who live with someone who has a weakened immune system, frontline social care workers, and health and social care staff have been able to get their free NHS flu vaccination to help protect themselves and those around them this winter.

Early data for the Midlands shows a strong start with over 800,000 eligible people coming forward for the vaccine since the programme started on 1 September. Across the country, over two million people aged 65 and over have had the vaccine. The NHS is encouraging others who are eligible to do the same.

The flu vaccine helps protect against flu, which can be a serious or life-threatening illness. It’s offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter to people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.

For some, flu can increase the risk of developing serious lung and airway infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia or can make existing conditions worse. It can spread easily and lead to hospitalisation – in some cases, even death. The vaccine is estimated to have prevented around 100,000 people from being hospitalised in England last winter.

Eligible people can book quickly and easily on the NHS website, in the NHS App or by calling 119.

Roz Lindridge, NHS England Director with responsibility for vaccinations in the Midlands said “It’s fantastic to see such a positive start to this year’s flu vaccination programme. Vaccination remains one of the best ways to protect yourself and your loved ones from serious illness this winter.

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.

Protection from the flu vaccine goes down with time and the types of flu virus the vaccine protects against are updated each year. This is why it’s important to get the flu vaccine every year.”

The roll out is part of the national flu programme which opened to school aged children, 2-3 years old, children in clinical risk groups (aged 6 months – under 18) and pregnant women on 1 September.

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.

Parents can now also take their 2-3 year olds to have their flu vaccine at their local pharmacy providing more choice, convenient locations and easier access.

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.

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

Background

• Find out more about the vaccine at Flu vaccine – NHS
• Book, change or cancel a free NHS flu vaccination at a pharmacy – NHS