NHS opens flu jab bookings early as winter preparations begin

Millions of people eligible for a flu vaccination in England can now pre-book their appointments as the NHS begins preparations for winter earlier than ever.

The national booking system opened on 17 August, allowing eligible people to arrange vaccinations ahead of the autumn rollout. Pregnant women and children are among the first groups able to receive their vaccinations from 1 September.

From 1 October, the programme will expand to include people aged 65 and over, adults aged 18 to 65 in clinical risk groups, people living in long-stay residential care homes, carers, close contacts of immunocompromised people, people experiencing homelessness and frontline healthcare workers.

The early start comes as the health service looks to reduce pressure on hospitals during the winter months. Flu typically peaks in December and January and can lead to serious illness and hospitalisation, particularly among older people, pregnant women, children and those with certain long-term health conditions.

NHS figures estimate that flu vaccination prevented around 104,000 hospital admissions last year, while almost 19 million people received a flu vaccine in England during the previous winter.

The vaccination drive follows an exceptionally busy summer for emergency departments. A&E attendances across England reached a record 2.5 million in July, while May to July represented the three busiest months ever recorded for emergency departments.

Chief Nursing Officer for England Duncan Burton said the flu vaccine remains one of the NHS’s strongest defences against winter illness and encouraged eligible people to come forward as soon as they are invited.

Eligible people will receive invitations through their GP practice, the NHS App or by letter. Vaccinations will be available through GP practices and participating community pharmacies, with eligible people also able to book through the NHS national booking service.

The NHS said booking early will help ensure people are protected before flu begins circulating more widely during the autumn and winter.

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