Flu

The 2026/27 NHS flu vaccination campaign launches on Tuesday 1st September 2026, initially offering flu jabs for children and pregnant women. From 1st October 2026 other eligible groups will be able to have their flu vaccinations.

Flu will often get better on its own, but for some people it can be much more than a bad cold and can make you seriously ill. It’s important to get the flu vaccine if you’re advised to. Every winter thousands of children need hospital care because of flu, while pregnant women are also at greater risk of becoming seriously ill.

It’s important to get your seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccinations if you’re at higher risk of getting seriously ill from these illnesses.

How to get the flu vaccine

Flu vaccines are safe and effective. They’re offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter to help protect people at risk of flu and its complications.

Most school-aged children will be offered the flu vaccination at school, while parents of two and three year-olds, and of children in a clinical risk group, will be able to book an appointment at their child’s GP practice from 1st September 2026 or at a participating community pharmacy from 1st October 2026. You can find a participating community pharmacy here: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/vaccination-and-booking-services/find-a-pharmacy-that-offers-free-flu-vaccination/

Pregnant women can have a flu jab at any stage of pregnancy and should speak to their maternity team, GP practice or participating community pharmacy.

Adults who can have a flu vaccine

You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:

  • are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31st March 2027)
  • are aged 18 to 64 and have certain long-term health conditions
  • are pregnant
  • live in a care home
  • are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer’s allowance
  • live with someone who has a weakened immune system
  • are experiencing homelessness or staying in a homeless hostel or night shelter

Frontline health and social care workers can also get a flu vaccine through their employer.

Children who can have a flu vaccine

The flu vaccine is recommended for:

  • children aged 2 or 3 years
  • children aged 4 years who have not started school yet
  • school-aged children (Reception to Year 11)
  • children aged 6 months to 17 years with certain long-term health conditions

If your child is 17 years old and over, and does not have a long-term health condition, they are not eligible for the flu vaccine.

Most children will be offered the flu nasal spray. Some children may be offered the flu injection instead, this is if they are under 2 years old or have a certain health condition. The health professional will discuss this with you.

Where to get a flu vaccine

If you’re eligible for an NHS flu vaccine, you can get your vaccine from:

We will shortly be adding a list of map of participating community pharmacies in Lincolnshire offering flu vaccinations for children, please keep checking this page.

The NHS will let you know in autumn or early winter when you can get your flu vaccine.

Some people may be able to get vaccinated through their maternity service, care home or their employer if they are a frontline health or social care worker.

School-aged children will be offered the vaccine in school. You will receive a consent form from school to complete prior to the Lincolnshire Community Health Service Vaccination Team attending the school. You can contact the team by telephone on 01522 572950 or email lhnt.sais@nhs.net or visit Immunisations :: Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

  • I had the flu vaccination last year. Do I need another one this year?

    Yes; the flu viruses can change from one winter to the next. Flu vaccines are updated for each winter to give protection against the strains of flu that are most likely to be going around. For this reason, we strongly recommend that even if you were vaccinated last year, you should be vaccinated again this year. Also, protection from flu vaccination goes down with time so even if some of the strains are the same you should have a flu vaccine again each flu season.

  • I think I’ve already had flu, do I need a vaccination?

    Yes; the vaccine will still help protect you. Other viruses can give you flu-like symptoms, or you may have had flu but because there is more than one type of flu virus you should still have the vaccine even if you think you’ve had flu.

  • Can the flu vaccine be given at the same time as other vaccines?

    Yes, if you are eligible for other vaccinations these may be offered at the same time, for instance COVID-19, shingles or pneumococcal.

  • Can I choose what vaccine I have?

    You won’t be able to choose which vaccine you have. However, any vaccines that the NHS provides will have been approved because they pass the MHRA’s tests on safety and efficacy. You will only be given a vaccine that’s recommended for you based on your age, any underlying health conditions, and whether or not you’re pregnant.

  • Can the flu vaccine give me the flu?

    The adult flu vaccine cannot give you flu because the viruses in it are inactivated (killed) meaning they cannot replicate or cause infection. You might notice some soreness in your arm where the injection was given, and a few people experience a mild temperature and aching muscles for a day or two afterwards. This is completely normal.

    If you have had what you believe is flu soon after a vaccination in the past, it may be that you caught this (or another type or virus) before your vaccination had taken effect.

  • Why did I get the flu even after having my vaccination?

    No vaccine can give 100% protection, but the flu vaccine greatly reduces your risk of catching flu. If you do get it, it’s usually milder and shorter-lasting than it would have been without the vaccine, and you’re less likely to develop serious complications. That’s why it’s still worth having each year.

    It’s worth remembering that it may take 10 to 14 days for your immunity to build up fully after you have had the flu vaccine.

  • I’ve never had the flu so why do I need this every year?

    The flu vaccination isn’t just about keeping you safe and well, it’s about protecting those close to you, building community immunity. Many people carrying the flu virus have no symptoms meaning you could unknowingly spread it to your colleagues and patients who may be more vulnerable to the effects of the virus.

    Just because you’ve not had flu before doesn’t mean you won’t get it this year!

Find out more about the flu vaccine: