Flu vaccine for adults

The flu vaccine helps protect against flu, which can be a serious or life-threatening illness. The NHS offers the flu vaccine to people at higher risk of getting seriously ill each year in the autumn and early winter period.

The virus changes every year and the types of flu viruses that the vaccine protects against are updated accordingly, so it is important to get a vaccine each year. There’s still a chance you might get the flu after being vaccinated, but it’s likely to be milder and not last as long.

Who should have the vaccine

The flu vaccine is given for free on the NHS to adults who:

• Are aged 65 and over 
• Have certain long-term health conditions – see the NHS website for information about which health conditions mean that you are eligible for the flu vaccine.
• Are pregnant – see the NHS website for more information about the flu jab in pregnancy
• Live in a care home
• Receive a carer's allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person 
• Live with someone who has a weakened immune system

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

Some children are also eligible for the flu vaccine. Find out more about the children’s flu vaccine.

Read more guidance about the flu vaccine, and who can and cannot have it, on the NHS website. 

How to get it

If you're eligible for an NHS flu vaccine, you can:

• Contact your GP surgery to book an appointment
• Book an appointment at a pharmacy online or in the NHS App, if you're aged 18 or over
• Visit a walk-in vaccination clinic
• Visit the Health Bus

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.

You may receive an invitation to get vaccinated, but you do not have to wait for this before booking an appointment.

It is important to get the vaccine before flu is widespread, so don’t delay booking your appointment. You need to book your vaccination before 20 December 2024.  

You may also be offered a COVID-19 vaccination in the same appointment, if you are eligible.