Free NHS flu vaccine – full list of who is eligible and exact dates
We’re currently enjoying the end of summer, but fall is just around the corner. This year, cozy season kicks off on September 22 and runs through December 21, with many of us eager to curl up under blankets and indulge in Halloween movie marathons.
But it’s not all about pumpkin spice lattes and the crunch of leaves underfoot: It’s also time to think about getting your flu shot. Many people are eligible for the vaccine, and it’s coming soon. So who’s eligible for the flu shot and how do you get it? Here’s everything you need to know.
Who is eligible for the flu vaccine?
THE National Health Service The flu vaccine is recommended for people at higher risk of becoming seriously ill. flu.
You can get the free NHS flu vaccine from 1 September if you meet the following criteria:
- pregnant women
- all children aged 2 or 3 (as of August 31, 2024)
- all children of primary school age (from nursery school to 6th grade)
- secondary school students from grades 7 to 11
- all children in clinical risk groups aged 6 months to less than 18 years
You can get the free NHS flu vaccine from 3 October if you meet the following criteria:
- people aged 18 to less than 65 years belonging to clinical risk groups
- people aged 65 and over
- people in long-term care homes
- carers receiving a care allowance or those who are the main carers of an elderly or disabled person
- close contacts of immunocompromised persons
- replacement general practitioners
- frontline staff employed by types of social care providers without employer-led occupational health schemes
- persons living in long-term care or nursing homes, other long-term health or social care facilities or a homebound patient (defined in the ES specification)
Health conditions that make you eligible for the flu vaccine
UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT The examples below are clinical risk groups. This includes:
- chronic (long-term) respiratory disease, such as asthma (requiring continuous or repeated use of inhaled or systemic steroids or with previous exacerbations requiring hospitalisation), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchitis
- chronic neurological disease, such as Parkinson’s disease or motor neuron disease
- a weakened immune system due to illness (such as HIV/AIDS) or treatment (such as cancer treatment)
- morbidly obese (defined as a BMI of 40 and above)
- chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
- chronic kidney disease stage 3, 4 or 5
- chronic liver disease
- a learning disability
- diabetes and adrenal insufficiency
- splenic dysfunction or asplenia
If you have a health condition and are unsure whether you are eligible for the flu vaccine, you should speak to your GP or specialist.
How and when can I get the flu vaccine?
If you are eligible for an NHS flu vaccine, you can get your vaccination from:
- your GP practice
- a pharmacy that offers the NHS flu vaccination (if you are 18 or over)
Some people may be eligible for vaccination through their maternity ward or care home. The NHS usually sends out notifications in the autumn or early winter to let you know when you can get your flu vaccine. If you haven’t received any communication but think you may be eligible, it’s recommended that you discuss this with your GP.
Regarding the dates to receive your vaccine government.uk Adults can expect the vaccine to be available in the coming weeks. They say: “This year there has been a change in the start date of the flu vaccination programme for adults, with most adults being offered a vaccine from October 3The only exceptions to this later start date are for pregnant women and children, who should continue to be offered vaccination from September, and in exceptional clinical circumstances where earlier vaccination may be appropriate.
You can book or cancel a free NHS flu vaccination at a pharmacy here. This service will be open from 23 September 2024. The NHS will contact you if your NHS record suggests you may be eligible for a flu vaccination.
You can call 119 free of charge to book by phone if you can’t book online and speak to a translator if you need one. You can use the textphone 18001 or the NHS British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreting Service 119 if you have difficulty communicating or hearing, or if you are a user of LSF.
