🩺 Flu & COVID Vaccinations 2025–2026

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Protect yourself this winter – get vaccinated at your GP practice

🌸 Flu Vaccinations

When can I get my flu jab?

  • From 1 September 2025:
    • Pregnant women
    • Children aged 2 or 3 years (on 31 August 2025)
    • Children aged 6 months to under 18 years in clinical risk groups (if missed at school)
  • From 1 October 2025:
    • Adults aged 65+
    • Adults aged 18–64 in clinical risk groups
    • People in long-stay care homes
    • Main carers, or those receiving Carer’s Allowance
    • Close contacts of people with weakened immune systems
    • Frontline social care workers (without employer health scheme)

Why are adult vaccines starting in October?

  • Experts recommend waiting until October because the flu vaccine’s protection can fade over time.
  • Having the jab in October means you’re protected when flu is at its worst, usually December to January.
  • Vaccinating too early can mean people are less protected later in the winter, when flu spreads the most.
  • The advice comes from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), who carefully review the science each year.

👉 This new timing makes sure your protection lasts through the whole flu season and gives the best chance of avoiding serious illness.

How do I book my flu jab?

  • You’ll receive a text message with a booking link if you’re eligible.
  • If you don’t have a mobile phone, we’ll call or write to you.
  • Call the practice and choose the flu booking option
  • Request through eConsult and one of our team will call you back
  • You can also book at local pharmacies, but if possible, please book with us — your GP practice relies on NHS vaccine funding to help provide other services.
  • Clinics will be held throughout October and November 2025

💙 Support your practice – have your flu jab here!

🏥 What to expect at your appointment

  • Go straight to the right-hand side of the waiting room
  • No need to check in at reception
  • Arrive as close to your appointment time as possible

👉 You will be given a card to fill in with your details. Hand this to the vaccinator.
👉 Wear loose sleeves / remove coats for easy access to your arm.

Appointment time: 5–10 minutes

💉 COVID Vaccinations (Autumn 2025)

Who is eligible?

  • Adults aged 75 and over
  • Residents in care homes for older adults
  • Anyone aged 6 months+ who is immunosuppressed (weakened immune system)

If you are housebound

  • If you’ve had vaccines at home in the last 3 years, you’ll already be on our list.
  • If not sure, or if you now need home vaccinations, call us as soon as possible so we can arrange a winter home visit if you fit the criteria.

How do I book my COVID jab?

  • Book via the text link that you will receive if you are eligible, or via the methods shown on the letter from the National Booking Service
  • Contact reception who can book you in for the weekend clinics hosted at Vale Drive Primary Care Centre

Flu & Covid-19: Can I have both?

Please note that eligibility for the Covid-19 vaccine this Autumn is different from the flu vaccine eligibility (see above)

  • Weekdays: Flu only at the practice
  • Weekends: Flu + Covid-19 available via the PCN Vaccine Service held at Vale Drive Primary Care Centre
  • You can choose to have them together or separately, but you must be booked into the correct clinics. We are unable to give Covid-19 vaccinations during the week

After your vaccination

  • Most people can leave straight away
  • If it’s your first time having the vaccine, you may be asked to wait 15 minutes

✅ Stay well this winter – get protected!
📲 Look out for your booking text, or call us if you have questions.