COVID-19 Autumn/Winter and Flu Vaccines

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are now available for eligible people to help ‘winter-proof’ those most vulnerable and the NHS amid new variants circulating this year.  

Who is eligible?

COVID-19 vaccinations are available to adults aged 75 and over, older adult care home residents, and people who are immunosuppressed.

Flu vaccines are also available for everyone aged 65 and over, under 65s in clinical risk groups, care home residents and carers, close contacts of those who are immunosuppressed, frontline health and social care workers, as well as children and pregnant women.

How do I book an appointment?

You do not need to wait for an invitation before booking an appointment.

Booked appointments and walk-in sessions are available across local pharmacies, GP practices and community clinic drop-in centres across the country and you can book an appointment via the NHS App, your local GP practice, online at www.nhs.uk/bookflu or www.nhs.uk/bookcovid, or by calling 119.

You can also find your nearest drop-in service or using the NHS walk-in finder.

As well as booked appointments, there are thousands of walk-in appointments available every day, with a full list of local locations available on the NHS walk-in finder.

When are appointments available?

You can book your appointment now!

The last date you will be able to get your COVID-19 vaccine is 31 January 2026. Online booking will close on 30 January 2026. 

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. Online booking will close on 30 March 2026.

RSV and pneumococcal vaccines

The NHS also recommends the RSV vaccine to pregnant women and older adults, as well as the pneumococcal vaccine to over 65s, to help protect against serious illnesses that are more common in the winter, like pneumonia.

You can access more information on recommended vaccinations at nhs.uk/vaccinations.

Vaccinations remain our best defence against these viruses and can be lifesaving. We urge everyone eligible to come forward for their jabs as soon as they can.

Read more about the winter vaccines and how important they are here.

FAQs

COVID-19 vaccines in use in the UK have all met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness. The safety of the vaccines has been extensively reviewed in both adults and children by the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

The MHRA are continuously monitoring the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines and reports of serious side effects are very rare.

As with your previous dose, the common side effects are the same for all COVID-19 vaccines, including the updated vaccines being used this spring and include:

  • having a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where you had your injection – this tends to be worst around 1 to 2 days after the vaccine
  • feeling tired
  • headache
  • general aches or mild flu-like symptoms

You can rest and take paracetamol (follow the dose advice in the packaging) to help you feel better.

Side effects following vaccination normally last less than a week. If your symptoms seem to get worse or if you are concerned, you can call NHS 111 or for text/phone use 18001 111.

You can also report suspected side effects of vaccines and medicines through the Yellow Card scheme.

Cases of inflammation of the heart (called myocarditis or pericarditis) have been reported very rarely after both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. These cases have been seen mostly in younger men and within several days of vaccination. Most of the people affected have felt better and recovered quickly following rest and simple treatments.

You should seek medical advice urgently if, after vaccination, you experience:

  • chest pain
  • shortness of breath
  • feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart

If you had a serious side effect after a previous dose you may be advised to avoid or delay further vaccination. You should discuss this with your doctor or specialist.

Reporting side effects

You can report suspected side effects of vaccines and medicines through the Yellow Card Scheme:

  • online at Yellow Card Scheme
  • by downloading and using the Yellow Card app on Apple or Android
  • by calling the Yellow Card scheme on 0800 731 6789 (9am to 5pm)

The COVID-19 vaccine is given as an injection.

Currently eligible people are advised to have 1 dose of the COVID-19 vaccine each spring and autumn.

If you are unwell, wait until you have recovered to have your vaccine. You should not attend an appointment if you have a fever or think you might be infectious to others.

The COVID-19 vaccine will reduce the chance of you becoming severely unwell from COVID-19.

It may take a few days for your body to build up some extra protection from the dose.

Like all medicines, no vaccine is completely effective. Some people may still get COVID-19 despite having a vaccination, but any infection should be less severe.

If you have a history of allergies, or if you had a reaction immediately after a previous dose, you may be advised to stay for 15 minutes after the vaccine. Please make sure you tell the vaccinator.

Further information

You can read the COVID-19 guides below for more information:

Order or download print copies

Paper copies of this leaflet in English are available free to order or download.

Alternative and accessible formats of this leaflet will soon be available to order.

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