The flu vaccine will be offered to adults aged 65 and over from October 1 (Image: Getty)
A major vaccine rollout for adults aged 65 and over has been confirmed by the NHS from today, October 1.
From Thursday, the NHS will begin offering its seasonal flu jab to the next eligible cohort of people in England, providing protection heading into the winter months. The flu jab is offered for free on the NHS every year in autumn and early winter to certain groups of people at higher risk of becoming seriously ill from the virus. The rollout got underway last month, with the NHS offering the jab to children and pregnant women, and now other eligible groups will begin receiving the vaccine from October 1, including people aged 65 and over.
Flu becomes particularly prevalent during winter as people spend more time indoors and in close contact with others, making it easier for the virus to spread, and while flu will generally get better on its own for most people, for others it can lead to more serious illness. As such, the NHS is urging those at higher risk of becoming ill from flu to book their flu jab from October 1.
NHS England, together with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), have confirmed that the flu vaccine will be offered to people aged 65 and over from today, October 1.
The October rollout will also include people aged 18 to 65 who are in a clinical risk group, those in long-stay residential care homes, carers in receipt of Carer’s Allowance, close contacts of immunocompromised people, and frontline workers in a social care setting.
A separate rollout already got underway in September 1 for pregnant women, children aged two or three on August 31, 2026, primary and secondary school-aged children, and all children in clinical risk groups from six months to less than 18 years.
According to the NHS, flu typically peaks around December and January, so the decision has been made to offer the vaccine to older adults later in the year, from October 1, to ensure its effectiveness when the virus is circulating.
As flu circulation in children normally precedes that in adults, the children’s programme will start earlier from September 1. Protection from the vaccine also lasts “much longer” in children, so an earlier start date for the vaccine rollout could reduce flu rates in older adults “through indirect protection”.
The later October start date for the adult vaccination programme comes based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
Confirming the adult flu vaccine rollout in a letter, Dr Thomas Waite, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, Dr Mary Ramsay, Director of Public Health Programmes, UKHSA and Caroline Temmink, Director of Vaccination, NHS England, said: “In line with the advice from JCVI, the start of the adult programme for 2026 to 2027 will continue to be 1 October.
“This start date is based on evidence of the waning of flu vaccine’s effectiveness in adults which means 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, even in early seasons such as we saw in 2025 to 2026 season.”
The NHS will let you know in autumn or winter when you can get your flu vaccine, which will either be available from your GP surgery or a pharmacy that offers NHS flu vaccination.
It is expected that the majority of vaccinations should be completed by the end of November to ensure as many people as possible are protected ahead of the winter.
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Yvette Cooper said: “Vaccinations play a vital role in protecting those most at risk from flu and they are also crucial for relieving pressures on our NHS over the winter months.
“Everyone who is eligible for a free vaccination will be notified through their phone or in the post. Together, we can save lives, support the most vulnerable, and ensure our NHS is there for everyone who needs it this winter.”
