The NHS has announced two significant changes to its 2026 flu vaccination plan, aiming to improve access for vulnerable groups including homeless individuals and children in clinical risk groups, as winter pressures loom.
The NHS has set out two changes to its autumn 2026 flu vaccination plan as it tries to widen access before winter pressures begin to build. The programme is already under way for some groups, with pregnant women and children aged two and three able to receive their jabs from 1 September 2026, according to NHS England and the government.
From 1 October 2026, selected community pharmacies will be able to vaccinate children aged two to under 18 who are in clinical risk groups, extending a service that previously covered only younger children. The government has said the move is intended to make it easier for families to get vaccinated in settings that are more convenient than GP surgeries or school clinics.
A second change comes on 1 December 2026, when pharmacies will be able to provide catch-up flu jabs for school-aged children from Reception to Year 11 who missed their school appointment. Community Pharmacy England said the expanded service is designed to improve uptake and reduce the number of children who remain unprotected as flu circulation increases later in the season.
For the first time, people experiencing homelessness will also be included in the national flu programme from 1 October 2026. The government said rough sleepers and people staying in hostels or night shelters aged 16 and over will be eligible, reflecting advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and the greater risk this group faces from respiratory illness.
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper said vaccination helps protect those most at risk and eases pressure on the NHS through the colder months. Dr Julie Yates, deputy director for immunisation programmes at the UK Health Security Agency, said eligible people should plan ahead and book early so they are protected before flu and other viruses start spreading widely.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
