Flu 2025: all you need to know

Get Ready for the 2025-2026 Flu Season

It’s that time of year again with flu season is fast approaching, and our team at the practice is already planning for this. Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s flu vaccination campaign, including who’s eligible, when clinics will run, and how to get booked in.

Why the Flu Vaccine Matters

Each year, flu can cause serious illness—especially in vulnerable groups. Getting vaccinated helps:

• Protect individuals at highest risk
• Reduce flu-related hospitalisations and deaths
• Prevent transmission to others 
• Safeguard children and those in care homes

Flu strains change each year, so a new vaccine is needed annually. This year’s programme runs from 1 September 2025 to 31 March 2026.

Find out more on the NHS website.

Who Can Get the Flu Vaccine at our practice?

From September 2025, the following groups are eligible:

• Pregnant women
• Children aged 2 or 3 on 31 August 2025
• Children aged 6 months to under 18 in clinical at-risk groups

School aged children (Reception to Year 11) will mainly be vaccinated by the School Immunisation Service but can contact us if they miss this at school.  Children will receive the nasal spray. 

We have appointments ready to be booked for this group from the 23rd September onwards. Please call our reception team on 020 7274 4220 to book an appointment.

From October 2025 the following groups will also be eligible:

• All adults aged 65 and over
• Adults aged 18–64 in clinical risk groups
• Care home residents
• Carers and main care providers
• Close contacts of people who are immunocompromised
• Frontline health and social care workers whose employers don’t offer.

We have clinics ready to be booked for this group from the 1st October onwards. Please call our reception team on 020 7274 4220 to book an appointment

We are sending out invites to our eligible patients by text message.  

We will contact eligible patients by text from mid September which will include a booking link to appointments we have set up for flu vaccines to be given. We will run these clinics  during late September (for pregnant women and children) and in October for the other groups. 

For pregnant women and children if they are unable to attend the dates available via our booking links in the text they can ring the practice and book an appointment with our practice nurse. 

We will also be running clinics on Saturdays the 11th and 18th October when you can book appointments. 

Our team may also contact you directly to encourage you to book appointments after our initial invitation. 

What About Housebound Patients or Care Homes?

Flu vaccinations for housebound patients will be delivered by our Home Visiting Nurse. 

What Happens Next?

We’re starting our public campaign now to raise awareness. Here’s what to expect:

• Invitations sent via SMS to eligible patients 
• For those without a mobile phone we may phone you on your landline or send you a letter. 
• If you are eligible you can ring our reception team who can offer you our flu appointments. They will check your eligibility before booking an appointment to make sure you get the right appointment. 
• Online booking links for convenience
• Regular clinic availability for flexible booking

If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible or have questions about the vaccines, just get in touch. Our staff will be happy to help you find the right information and support your vaccination decision.

Let’s stay healthy this flu season. Get vaccinated. Protect yourself. Protect others.

What About Covid Boosters?

Covid vaccination eligibility has changed this year and is now limited to:

• Adults aged 75 and over (previously this was over 65yrs old)
• Individuals in specific high-risk clinical categories
• Residents in older adult care homes

The Practice is not providing Covid vaccinations – you can get these at local pharmacies. Please contact your normal pharmacy for more details. Please note that only flu vaccinations are available at the Practice.

Published: Sep 17, 2025