Eligible people are urged to get their flu and COVID-19 vaccinations to help protect themselves and their families this winter.

Respiratory infections like flu spread more easily in winter because we spend more time indoors with others. Last year in England, flu caused around 8,000 deaths, while vaccination prevented an estimated 96,000 to 120,200 hospitalisations.

Dr Vinay Takwale, NHS England’s South West Medical Director, said: “Getting vaccinated is vital to help keep yourself and those around you Stay Well this winter – while also helping to reduce the pressure seasonal infections can have on our healthcare service.

“Flu is a highly infectious disease which can cause symptoms much worse than a heavy cold and getting flu or COVID-19 can be very dangerous for those most at risk. Vaccines provide the best protection against these infections which is why we are urging everyone who is eligible to vaccinated as soon as possible.

“You can book an appointment through the National Booking System, by speaking with your GP, or at some local pharmacies for those aged over 18. In addition, this year for the first time ever, parents will also be able to get their children aged 2 to 3 years old vaccinated against flu at many pharmacies across the region.”

Dr Alasdair Wood, Consultant in Health Protection and Vaccine Preventable Disease lead at UKHSA South West, said: “From today everyone at higher risk of flu and COVID-19 can take up the offer of a vaccine to give them vital protection going into winter. If you’re eligible it is because you are at greater risk of getting seriously ill and ending up in hospital. Book online on the NHS app or National Booking System or speak to your GP or practice nurse, or alternatively your local pharmacist. For pregnant women, the vaccine may also be available through maternity services.

“Last year in the South West, only 42% of pregnant women, almost 46% of people with a long term health condition and 50% of 2 and 3 year olds were vaccinated against flu. It’s vitally important that if you’re in these eligible groups that you take up the offer and join in the ‘Stay strong, get vaccinated’ campaign – it could be the most important appointment you make this winter, helping to keep you out of hospital.”

This winter the flu vaccination will be offered on the NHS for the following people:

• 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
• Those aged 65 years and over
• Those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book, Influenza chapter 19)
• 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 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

The COVID-19 vaccine will also be offered on the NHS to people who are at highest risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19. These include:

• Adults aged 75 years and over
• Residents in care homes for older adults
• Individuals who are immunosuppressed, aged 6 months and over (as defined in tables 3 and 4 of the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book)

The NHS has been sending out invitations to remind eligible people to come forward as soon as they can, but you do not need to wait for an invitation to book. The national booking system is open to book your winter vaccination appointments and will remain open for COVID-19 appointments until 31 January 2026 and for flu appointments until 31 March 2026. You can also book quickly and easily via the NHS App or by calling 119.

Some pharmacies are also offering walk-in flu appointments. You can find a local pharmacy offering walk-in flu vaccinations by using the pharmacy finder.

People aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed and adults over the age of 75 may be eligible both their flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. These vaccines can be given safely at the same time, so we would advise that you book an appointment for both vaccinations where possible.