NHS national booking service opens for winter flu and COVID-19 vaccine bookings

The NHS national booking service opened on 17 August 2026 for pre-booking flu and COVID-19 vaccinations ahead of winter, NHS England announced. The service is open to eligible people in England, and NHS England said the health service is starting winter preparations earlier than ever¹.

Flu vaccinations begin on 1 September for pregnant women, all children aged 2 or 3 on 31 August 2026, all primary and secondary school-aged children, and all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to under 18¹. From 1 October 2026 the flu offer extends to those aged 65 and over, those aged 18 to 65 in a clinical risk group, people in long-stay residential care homes, carers receiving carer's allowance or who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person, close contacts of immunocompromised individuals, people experiencing homelessness, and frontline healthcare workers¹. COVID-19 vaccinations are also available from 1 October for those aged 75 and over, residents in care homes for older adults, and individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed¹.

NHS England said the NHS will send out millions of invitations over the coming months, and that people do not need to wait for an invitation to book¹. Booking is through the NHS website, the NHS App or by calling 119, and appointments can be made at local pharmacies or directly with a GP¹. NHS England said the jab is given in injectable form in the vast majority of cases, with a nasal spray provided for most children². It said flu season usually peaks in December and January².

Dr Matthew Dominey, Consultant in Public Health and Screening and Immunisation Lead at NHS England South West, said:

NHS England estimated that flu vaccination prevented around 104,000 hospital admissions and 7,100 deaths last year, and said nearly 19 million people received their flu jab in England last winter¹. It reported that A&E attendances reached a record 2.5 million in July, with the three busiest months ever recorded between May and July, and that 75.4% of patients were seen, treated or discharged within four hours, an improvement on June².

Why it matters for households

Households in England with members in the eligible groups can book now rather than waiting for an invitation, which NHS England said will arrive over the coming months by GP practice, NHS App or letter¹. Children and pregnant women are first in line from 1 September, with the remaining adult groups from 1 October¹. NHS England advises that it is safe to have flu and COVID-19 vaccinations at the same appointment where someone is eligible for both¹. Dr Fiona Neely of the UK Health Security Agency said booking early means being vaccinated before the viruses circulate widely¹. The vaccinations guide sets out the wider set of vaccines that protect against outbreaks, and the COVID-19 eligibility page covers who can currently get a COVID-19 vaccine. The health emergencies hub covers related planning.

What happens next

Local NHS services will begin sending invitations to children and pregnant women in September via GP practice, NHS App or letter². Flu vaccinations start on 1 September, and the wider flu cohorts and COVID-19 vaccinations begin on 1 October 2026¹.