Influenza (Flu) is a highly contagious viral infection that can cause serious illness and death. It can be more serious for younger children and older people.

Flu vaccination

For the most up to date guidance on the flu vaccination, including who can get it, safety, and side effects, visit the NHS website.

The flu vaccination is offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter to people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.

You can have the flu vaccine at the same time as other vaccines such as the COVID-19 and shingles vaccines, if you are eligible.

Who can get a free flu vaccination

• Adults ages 65 and over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2026)
• 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

Frontline health and social care workers can also get a flu vaccine through their employer.

How to get your vaccination

If you're eligible for an NHS flu vaccine, you can:

• contact your GP surgery to book an appointment
• book a free NHS flu vaccination appointment at a pharmacy online or in the NHS App (if you're aged 18 or over)
• find a pharmacy that offers free NHS flu vaccination where you can walk-in and get vaccinated without an appointment (if you're aged 18 or over)

The last date you will be able to get your flu vaccine is 31 March 2026, but it's best to get vaccinated sooner to protect yourself during winter.

Vaccination for school-age children

Flu can be very unpleasant for children and can sometimes cause serious problems, such as pneumonia. Each winter in the UK, thousands of children who do not have a health condition need hospital care because of flu.

Children can catch and spread flu easily. Vaccinating them also helps protect others who are at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu, such as babies, anyone who's pregnant and older people.

Most children from reception to year 11 will be offered the flu vaccination through a nasal spray. It is painless, very quick to administer, and serious side effects are uncommon. The nasal flu vaccination contains a small amount of gelatine from pigs (porcine gelatine). The flu vaccine injection is available, which does not contain gelatine.

Flu vaccination for children (both the nasal spray and the injection) are arranged through your child’s school.

Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust provide school age immunisation across south London, including in Bexley. They also run catch-up clinics for children who miss the opportunity to be vaccinated at school.