Free NHS flu vaccine in England: who is eligible this winter

Flu puts hospitals under strain every winter, and in England a large share of residents can get the jab for free. Eligibility for a free flu vaccine comes through the NHS — based on your age, your health or the role you play caring for others. Here is the current list, taken straight from the official pages.

Older people, pregnant women and those with long-term conditions are hit hardest by flu, which is why they are first in line for a free jab. The NHS itself describes the adult flu vaccine as being for people at higher risk from flu, including adults aged 65 and over and people with certain health conditions.

Who is eligible for the free flu vaccine?

The free vaccine goes to people in higher-risk groups. According to the NHS, for the 2026/27 season these mainly are:

• anyone aged 65 or over — including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2027;
• pregnant women, who can have the vaccine at any stage of pregnancy;
• adults aged 18 to 64 with certain long-term conditions — affecting the lungs, heart, liver or kidneys, as well as diabetes, a learning disability or a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above;
• people who live in a care home;
• the main carer for an older or disabled person, or anyone who receives carer’s allowance;
• rough sleepers and people in homeless hostels or night shelters, from age 16 or over.

If you are not sure whether a health condition qualifies you, the NHS says to speak to your GP surgery. The full list of conditions is on the NHS flu vaccine page.

From what age are children vaccinated?

Children are usually given the vaccine as a nasal spray, the preferred option for children aged 2 to 16 years. Free vaccination is offered to:

• children who were 2 or 3 years old on 31 August 2026;
• all school pupils from reception to year 11;
• children aged 6 months to 17 years with certain long-term conditions.

Children under 2 who are at risk are given an injection rather than the spray. A separate child flu vaccine page explains how and where to get it.

Where can you get the flu jab?

You can get the vaccine at a GP surgery or at a pharmacy. You can book online or through the NHS App, find a pharmacy offering the free vaccine, or contact your GP surgery. Pregnant women are often vaccinated through their maternity service, and care home residents on site. It pays not to wait: having the jab early in the season gives the best protection before flu peaks.

Frontline health and social care workers should normally get the vaccine through their employer. If that is not possible, some staff can be vaccinated at a pharmacy or GP surgery.

Is it really free?

Yes. For every group listed above, the NHS flu vaccine is free — there is nothing to pay. It is best to have it before the cold weather sets in, but the deadline to be vaccinated is 31 March 2027. If you are not in an eligible group, you can still pay for a flu jab at a pharmacy.