Winter flu vaccinations 2025 – who is eligible?
Flu can be particularly dangerous for certain groups, including pregnant women, young children, and people with certain long-term health conditions.
Eligible this year are:
From 1 September 2025
- pregnant women
- all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2025
- children with certain long-term health conditions (aged 6 months to less than 18 years)
- primary school aged children (from reception to Year 6)
- secondary school aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11)
- all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to under 18 years
From 1 October 2025
- everyone aged 65 years and over
- individuals aged 18 to under 65 with certain long-term health conditions
- care home residents
- carers in receipt of carer's allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
- those living with people who are immunocompromised
-
frontline health and social care workers
More information on flu vaccines
How to get vaccinated
- For adults eligible for a flu vaccination, your GP practice will contact you to book an appointment. The vaccine is administered by injection.
- School-aged children will receive their flu vaccinations at school, but younger children and those who miss their school session can also get the vaccine at a follow up school clinic, at their GP practice or at a community clinic. The vaccine is offered for children as a quick and painless nasal spray.
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Pharmacies across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are offering flu vaccinations to adults from October 1st and you can book an appointment online:
How safe is the flu vaccine and what are the side effects?
Flu vaccines have good safety records. While some people may experience mild side effects from the injection such as a sore arm or slight fever, these generally don't last long and are far less severe than flu itself. Side effects of the nasal vaccine may commonly include a runny or blocked nose, headache, tiredness and some loss of appetite.
