Seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccinations

Top up your protection this autumn by getting your #JabDone if you are eligible.

Flu vaccination

The flu vaccine is offered on the NHS every autumn or early winter to those at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.

You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:

• are aged 65 or over
• 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
• children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August, primary school and secondary school aged children and all children in clinical risk groups aged 6 months to less than 18 years are also eligible for a free flu vaccine
• frontline health and social care workers can get a flu vaccine through their employer

If you’re eligible for an NHS flu vaccine, you will be able to get your vaccine from:

• your GP surgery
• a pharmacy that offers NHS flu vaccination (if you’re aged 18 or over or your child is aged 2 to 3 years old)
• 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

The flu vaccine helps protect against flu, which can be a serious or life-threatening illness, so make sure you get your flu #JabDone.

For more information about the flu vaccine, visit the NHS website: Flu vaccine – NHS

COVID-19 vaccination

Those at increased risk from severe illness from COVID-19 may also be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine.

You can get the free NHS COVID-19 vaccine if you:

• are aged 75 or over
• have a weakened immune system
• live in an older adult care home

If eligible, you do not need to wait for an invitation to book your vaccine. To book:

• visit the NHS App
• book via the NHS website (www.nhs.uk/get-vaccination)
• call 119 for free
• you may also be able to visit a walk-in site which does not require a booking (www.nhs.uk/covid-walk-in)

Don’t get caught out. If you or your child are eligible, make sure you get any extra protection you need. Get your COVID-19 #JabDone.

For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit the NHS website: COVID-19 vaccine – NHS

Make sure your child is vaccinated against measles

Measles is one of the most highly infectious diseases and spreads rapidly among those who are unvaccinated. Measles is an unpleasant illness and sometimes can have serious complications.

Check your child’s Red Book to see if they’ve received MMR vaccination which protects against measles, mumps and rubella, or check with your GP surgery if you’re unsure.

MMR vaccine catch-up programme

It’s never too late to get yourself protected against Measles. Anyone missing an MMR vaccine can catch up via their GP.

Some School Aged Immunisation Service providers are also offering local clinics during school holidays to provide catch-up MMR vaccinations for school aged children only. Details of your local School Aged Immunisation Service provider can be found below.

Any preschool children missing vaccinations should contact their GP. Most healthy adults will have developed some immunity to measles but can still receive two doses of the vaccine from their GP too.

New MMRV vaccine

The NHS now offers the MMRV vaccine, protecting against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox, with the first dose at one year old and the second at 18 months. We would encourage you book for your child in to receive their vaccinations as soon as possible when they are due. Some older children and adults may still be offered the MMR vaccine.

A one-dose MMRV selective catch-up programme will be delivered between 1st November 2026 and 31st March 2028 at GP practices for eligible children. Children eligible for the catch up are those who were born between 1 January 2020 and 31st August 2022 and have no history of chickenpox or have not had two doses of a varicella vaccination.

What is the difference between the MMR and MMRV vaccine?

The NHS introduced the MMRV vaccination into the routine childhood vaccination schedule from 1 January 2026 to replace MMR vaccination. The MMRV vaccine is a 2 dose combined vaccine that includes protection against measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chickenpox).

The MMRV vaccine has been successfully used in children in other countries for decades, including Germany and Canada, Australia and the United States and eligibility for MMRV is based on date of birth.

Children who miss out on MMR or MMRV continue to remain eligible for life.

Know the signs of measles

Anyone with symptoms is also being advised to stay at home and phone their GP or NHS 111 for advice.

Early signs of measles include a high temperature, cold-like symptoms and sore red eyes, with a rash usually appearing a few days later. If you think you or your child has measles, phone your GP practice or NHS 111 before visiting – measles spreads easily in waiting rooms.

For more information about measles, see Measles – NHS.