Now is the time to book your Winter jabs. During the Autumn and Winter months, flu and COVID-19 spread more easily. If you are eligible, keeping up to date with your vaccines is an important way to protect yourself from winter illnesses.
Read on to find out who is eligible for the free NHS flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
Jump to:
- Why should I have a flu or COVID-19 vaccine?
- Who can have the free flu vaccine?
- How do I get the free flu vaccine?
- Who can have the free COVID-19 vaccine?
- How do I get the free COVID-19 vaccine?
- I don’t know if I am eligible for free vaccines
Why should I have a flu or COVID-19 vaccine?
Keeping up to date with your vaccines helps to protect you from the more serious effects of flu and COVID-19. This is important if you are someone who may be more likely to get seriously ill. If you have adrenal insufficiency, vaccination is particularly important as staying healthy reduces the risk of illnesses that could trigger an adrenal crisis.
Who can have the free flu vaccine?
You can have a free NHS flu jab if you are an adult at higher risk of getting seriously ill from the flu. Most children are also eligible for a free vaccine.
You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:
- are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2026)
- have certain long-term health conditions, including Addison’s disease and adrenal insufficiency
- are pregnant
- live in a care home
- are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer’s allowance
- live with someone who has a weakened immune system
Some people with a pituitary condition are also eligible for a free NHS flu vaccine. This includes those with adrenal insufficiency and those taking replacement steroids for other reasons.
How do I get the free flu vaccines?
To get your free NHS flu vaccine, you can:
- book through your GP surgery
- book with a pharmacy, using the online booking form or the NHS App (if you’re aged 18 or over) or find a pharmacy that offers walk-in appointments
- some people may be able to get vaccinated through their maternity service or care home, or through their employer if they’re a frontline health or social care worker
The last date to get a free flu vaccine is 31 March 2026, but it is best to have it earlier in the Winter season. Online booking closes on 30 March 2026.
Who can have the free COVID-19 booster vaccine?
The eligibility for the COVID-19 booster is different from the flu vaccine. The guidance is updated regularly by the government, so it is important to check the most up-to-date eligibility criteria. You can get a free COVID-19 booster if you:
- are aged 75 and over
- are aged 6 months to 74 years have a weakened immune system (immunosuppressed) because of a health condition or treatment
- live in a care home for older adults
This year’s guidance is different from last year’s. If you had a COVID-19 booster last year, you may not be eligible this year. This year, most people with adrenal insufficiency or pituitary conditions are not eligible for the COVID-19 booster unless they meet the criteria for being immunosuppressed.
Am I immunosuppressed?
The NHS has a list of health conditions that mean you are classed as immunosuppressed.
It’s important to note that the list includes people taking systemic steroids for more than a month. However, this only applies to doses of 20 mg or more of prednisolone per day (or an equivalent dose of another steroid).
People taking steroid replacement therapy for adrenal insufficiency are not classed as immunosuppressed. This is because the dose of steroids simply provides the amount your body needs (replacement dose) and does not weaken your immune system.
How do I get the free COVID-19 vaccine?
If you are eligible for the winter COVID-19 vaccine, you can:
- book a vaccination appointment online or in the NHS App (if you’re aged 5 years or over)
- find a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site to get vaccinated without an appointment (if you’re aged 5 years or over)
- Some people may be able to get vaccinated at a local service, such as a community pharmacy or a GP surgery, or at a care home if they live in a care home
You do not need to wait for an invitation before booking an appointment.
The last date to get the free NHS COVID-19 vaccine is 31 January 2026. Online booking will close on 30 January 2026.
I don’t know if I am eligible for free vaccines
If you do not know if you are eligible for a free flu or COVID-19 vaccine, you can speak to your GP or endocrine team. You can also call our Endocrine Nurse Helpline, on 0117 370 1317.
If you are eligible, you may also receive a text message or letter from your GP, reminding you to book your Winter vaccines.