The annual flu vaccination letter for 2026/27 has been published today, announcing the start dates for the NHS programme along with the eligibility criteria.
Published by the Department of Health and Social Care (DH), the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS England (NHSE), the letter set out that “from September 1” pharmacies and other providers will be able to offer free flu vaccines to pregnant women and those in the “children’s programme”.
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The rest of the adult cohort will receive vaccinations “from October 1” with “the majority” due to be completed “by the end of November”, it said.
The letter explained that the plans follow advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) that “it is preferable to vaccinate individuals closer to the time when the flu virus is likely to circulate”.
“As flu typically peaks in December or January, this will provide optimal protection during the highest risk period,” it said.
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But the government noted that there are “some exceptions” to the October start date, advising that those who are due to start immunosuppressive treatment, for example, should have their flu vaccine prior to this.
The letter also revealed that there are “no changes to eligible cohorts for the 2026 to 2027 programme”.
And it confirmed that the vaccination of all “frontline healthcare staff” should be offered from the start of October but noted they “will not qualify for payment or reimbursement”.
It added that “guidance regarding the provision of vaccinations for two- to three-year-olds in community pharmacies” will be issued “following the evaluation of the 2025 to 2026 season”.
Eligibility
The letter set out the full eligibility for next season’s NHS flu programme.
From September 1, 2026:
- Pregnant women
- All children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2026
- Primary school-aged children
- Secondary school-aged children up to Year 11
- Individuals 17 years and over attending a special education needs (SEN) school and who are in a clinical risk group may also be vaccinated alongside their peers
- All children in clinical risk groups aged from six months to less than 18 years
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From October 1, 2026:
- Those aged 65 years and over
- Those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups
- Those in long-stay residential care homes
- Carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
- Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
- Frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer-led occupational health scheme
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It comes after the Company Chemists’ Association (CCA) said earlier this month that pharmacies are “ready to administer more flue jabs if needed”, following the British Medical Association’s (BMA) warning that GP participation in the annual flu vaccination programme is “no longer a financially viable option”.
And it follows NHSE announcing in September that local pharmacies would be able to vaccinate toddlers against flu for the first time in October.
