NHS England announced that flu and COVID-19 vaccines would be offered to all eligible people in England from 1 October 2025, with advance booking open from 1 September for the first time1. The announcement was published on 1 October 20251.
NHS England said the earlier booking window was intended "to allow more people to book their flu or COVID-19 vaccine appointments in advance"1. It reported that COVID-19 cases had been "steadily increasing for weeks, with hospitalisations increasing by 60%", and that the increase followed the emergence of the XFG variant in May1. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also reported a 50% increase in rhinovirus, which causes the common cold, likely driven by the return of schools after the summer break1. NHS England said 2025 was on track to be the busiest year on record for A&E and ambulance services1.
Eligibility, as set out by NHS England following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI)1:
| Vaccine | Who is eligible |
|---|---|
| COVID-19 | Adults aged 75 and over; older adult care home residents; people who are immunosuppressed |
NHS England said vaccination teams had been rolling out flu vaccines to pregnant women and children through GP practices, maternity services and schools since the start of September, and that flu vaccines were being delivered to two- and three-year-olds in some community pharmacies for the first time1. From 1 October, booked appointments and walk-in sessions were available at local pharmacies, GP practices and community clinic drop-in centres1. NHS England said more than 12 million invites had already been sent by email, with further invites via the NHS App, text and letters going out across the month, but that eligible people did not have to wait for an invitation to book1.
"It's concerning to hear flu and COVID-19 cases are already creeping up ahead of winter, but vaccinations remain our best defence against these viruses and can be lifesaving."
NHS England reported that in the previous autumn and winter it delivered more than 18.5 million flu vaccinations to adults and children, including over half a million to two- and three-year-olds, and 9.8 million COVID-19 vaccinations, including over a quarter of a million to older adult care home residents1. Despite this, there were more than 450,000 hospital bed days taken up by patients with flu and COVID-19 last winter1.
Why it matters for households
Households in England with members in the eligible groups can book from 1 September, a month before vaccinations began on 1 October1. NHS England said appointments can be booked via the NHS App, a local GP practice, www.nhs.uk/bookflu or www.nhs.uk/bookcovid, or by calling 119, and that the NHS walk-in finder can locate the nearest drop-in service1. The vaccinations guide sets out which vaccines protect against which outbreaks, and the COVID-19 eligibility page covers who can get a COVID-19 vaccine now. The UKHSA page explains the agency's role in alerts and outbreak advice, and the health emergencies hub covers wider health incidents.
NHS England also said the NHS recommends the RSV vaccine to pregnant women and older adults, and the pneumococcal vaccine to over 65s, to help protect against serious illnesses more common in winter such as pneumonia1. Dr Mary Ramsay, Director of Immunisation at UKHSA, said those eligible are at greater risk of getting seriously ill and ending up in hospital, and urged people to join the "Stay strong, get vaccinated" campaign1.
What happens next
NHS England said further invites would go out via the NHS App, text and letters across October1. It said regional teams were hosting mobile vaccination buses and family drop-in sessions, and that parents of two- and three-year-olds would be able to get flu vaccines at high-street pharmacies for the first time1.
Vaccines Against Outbreaks
