Below you can find information on the influenza (flu) vaccination programme for 2025-2026.

This information is focused on the flu vaccine and provides resources on flu and flu vaccinations. 

If you are having any difficulties accessing vaccination in your frontline care role, please contact the Advice Centre. 

Influenza vaccination 2025-2026 

The flu immunisation programme in the UK is based on recommendations by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), an independent expert advisory committee which advises all UK health departments on vaccination and immunisation programmes. The guidance is available in the UK via the Government's Immunisation against infectious disease document, and in Chapter 19 of The Green Book. 

Vaccine types 

Vaccine types are recommended by the JCVI for use as part of the NHS Annual Influenza Vaccination Programme. The choice of which vaccine to use is advised by the JCVI, see: JCVI statement on influenza vaccines for 2025 to 2026. 

Eligibility 

The flu vaccine is recommended for the following eligible groups across the UK for the 2025-2026 flu season:

• Adults 65 years of age and over.
• At-risk adults 18 to 64 years of age (including pregnant women).
• Children aged 2 to less than 18 years of age.
• Children less than 2 years of age in at-risk groups. 

See the Green Book Influenza chapter 19 for full details on eligible groups. Eligibility for vaccination may differ across the UK countries. Please see the respective annual flu letters:

• England. National flu immunisation programme plan 2025 to 2026
• Northern Ireland. Seasonal influenza vaccination programme 2025/2026 (PDF)
• Scotland. Winter Programme 2025 - seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccination
• Wales. National influenza immunisation programme 2025 to 2026 (WHC/2024/028)

Health and social care workers

Health care workers have a responsibility to protect their patients and for nurses this is detailed in the NMC Code. Flu vaccination for health care workers helps to stop the transmission of the flu virus and is fully supported by professional bodies including the RCN and the British Medical Association (BMA).

Having a flu vaccine annually remains the best way to protect against catching or spreading flu. We recommend that all members with direct patient care (including students on placement) are fully vaccinated against flu to reduce the risks of spreading the infection to the people they care for. See: RCN position on health care staff and the influenza vaccine.

General guidance

• Flu campaign resources. England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales

Immunisation training

England 

• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Flu vaccination: increasing uptake Quality Standard (QS190 2020)
• UKHSA. National Minimum Standards and Core Curriculum for Vaccination Training
• NHS England. Flu immunisation e-learning programme. NHS England elearning for healthcare (NHSE elfh) works with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) each year to update the Flu Immunisation elearning programme to ensure it is up-to-date for the forthcoming flu season.  

Scotland

• NHS Education for Scotland. Seasonal flu programme
• NHS Education for Scotland. Immunisation e-Learning resources

Wales

• Public Health Wales. Immunisation training resources and events

Northern Ireland

• HSC Public Health Agency. Healthcare worker flu resources

Country specific guidance

England

• UKHSA. Annual flu programme resources
• NHS England. General practice enhanced service specification – seasonal influenza vaccination programme 2025/26
• NHS. Influenza vaccination
• UKHSA. Flu vaccinations: supporting people with learning difficulties
• GOV.UK. Flu vaccination programme 2025 to 2026: healthcare practitioners

Northern Ireland

• Public Health Agency. Seasonal Influenza public health information and Flu Aware NI
• HSC Public Health Agency. Information for health professionals

Scotland

• Public Health Scotland. Flu immunisation programme overview
• Public Health Scotland. Scottish Vaccine Update

Wales

• Public Health Wales. Immunisation e-Learning
• Public Health Wales. Immunisation training resources and events
• Public Health Wales. Flu vaccination
• Public Health Wales. Flu resources for health and social care professionals