NHS Launches Free Flu Vaccine Drive as Millions Urged to Get Protected

Published: 02 September 2025. The English Chronicle Desk

The National Health Service (NHS) has officially launched its 2025 flu vaccination campaign, calling on millions of children, teenagers, and pregnant women to come forward for a free flu jab. Last winter, the flu vaccine is estimated to have prevented around 100,000 hospitalisations in England, highlighting its crucial role in safeguarding public health.

Despite the protection offered by the vaccine, over 300,000 hospital bed days were still occupied by patients affected by influenza last season, nearly double the previous winter’s figure of 175,062. Dr Amanda Doyle, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services at NHS England, emphasized the ongoing risk. “The threat of serious illness from flu and Covid-19 remains very real,” she said. “Each year, hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalised due to these viruses, particularly during the winter months.”

Dr Doyle added, “Vaccination is our best defence against these illnesses and can be lifesaving. I urge expectant mothers, parents of young children and teenagers, and all eligible individuals to book their appointments as soon as possible to protect themselves and their loved ones.”

The free NHS flu vaccine rollout is staggered based on age and risk groups. Most eligible individuals can receive their vaccine from 1 October 2025, although certain groups, including pregnant women, can access the vaccine immediately. The NHS national booking system has already opened, allowing eligible people to schedule their appointments according to the rollout schedule.

Those eligible from 1 September 2025 include pregnant women, children aged two or three on 31 August 2025, primary school-aged children (Reception to Year 6), secondary school-aged children (Year 7 to Year 11), and all children in clinical risk groups aged six months to under 18 years.

From 1 October 2025, eligibility extends to individuals aged 65 years and older, adults aged 18 to under 65 in clinical risk groups as defined by the Green Book, residents of long-stay care homes, carers in receipt of carers’ allowance or primary carers of elderly or disabled individuals, close contacts of immunocompromised people, and frontline social care workers without an employer-led occupational health scheme. This includes staff in registered residential or nursing homes, domiciliary care providers, voluntary-managed hospices, and individuals employed by recipients of personal budgets or Personal Health budgets.

The NHS flu vaccination programme represents a critical effort to prevent hospitalisations, reduce winter healthcare pressures, and protect vulnerable populations from severe influenza and its complications. Citizens are encouraged to act promptly to secure their vaccination appointments and help shield their communities from the seasonal virus.