The UK government has set out guidance for the 2025 to 2026 season. We can confirm that no changes have been made to eligible cohorts from previous years. Please note this rollout applies to NHS England – we will update on the plans from the Scottish and Northern Irish governments as these are released.

Eligibility

From the 1st of September 2025, the following cohorts are eligible to receive a flu vaccination:

• Pregnant woman
• All children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 st August 2025
• Primary school agreed children (from Reception to Year 6)
• Secondary school aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11)
• All children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years

From October 2025, date TBC, the following cohorts are eligible to receive a flu vaccination:

• Those aged 65 years and over
• Those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups
• Those in long-stag 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 including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and those that are employed by those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or a Personal Health budget, such as Personal Assistants.

More information

More information on recommended vaccines and vaccines eligible for reimbursement

(National flu immunisation programme 2025 to 2026 letter - GOV.UK)

Read more about clinical risk groups