Winter Vaccines – COVID-19 and flu

Flu vaccination programme

The flu vaccine is given free on the NHS to:

  • are 50 and over (including those who will be 50 by 31 March 2023)
  • have certain health conditions
  • are pregnant
  • are in long-stay residential care
  • receive a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
  • live with someone who is more likely to get a severe infection due to a weakened immune system, such as someone living with HIV, someone who has had a transplant, or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
  • children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2022 (born between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2020)
  • all primary school children (Reception to Year 6)
  • some secondary school aged children (years 7 – 9)
  • children aged 2 to 17 years with long-term health conditions

To find out more about flu vaccination for adults: Flu vaccine – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

To find out more about flu vaccination for children: Child flu vaccine – NHS (www.nhs.uk) 

COVID-19 vaccination programme

A spring booster dose of the Covid vaccine will be offered to people at highest risk of severe illness, following new advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

Spring 2023 COVID-19 vaccination programme: JCVI advice, 22 February 2023 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

In line with the committee’s advice, a spring booster dose will be offered to the following groups around six months after their previous dose:

  • adults aged 75 years and over;
  • residents in a care home for older adults; and
  • individuals aged 5 years and over who are immunosuppressed

Please wait for the NHS to contact you if you think you’re eligible for a spring booster.

The NHS COVID-19 vaccination programme continues, allowing everyone who is eligible to come forward for first and second doses to book appointments. From July, this offer will only be available during campaign periods to those at higher risk of severe COVID-19. Otherwise healthy 5 to 49 year olds who have not come forward for their primary course COVID-19 vaccination will no longer be able to access this offer following the close of the 2023 spring booster programme, planned to end 30 June 2023.

To find out more: Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine – NHS (www.nhs.uk)