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Flu Vaccination

Why is the flu vaccine important?

The NHS flu vaccine is offered free of charge each year to people who are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill from flu, as well as some people who care for vulnerable individuals.

Flu is a highly infectious virus that can cause serious illness, particularly in older adults, pregnant women, young children and people with certain long-term health conditions. While many people recover within a week or two, flu can lead to complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia, sometimes requiring hospital treatment. Every winter, flu contributes to thousands of hospital admissions and deaths across the UK.

Having your flu vaccination each year is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and those around you. The vaccine is safe, quick to receive and can significantly reduce your risk of becoming seriously ill.

 

When should I have my flu vaccine?

Flu vaccines are usually available from October each year. Ideally, you should receive your vaccination before flu begins circulating widely, which is typically from mid-December onwards.

It takes around 10 to 14 days after vaccination for your body to build up protection, so having your vaccine early in the season offers the best protection.

The vaccination programme for children often begins earlier and nasal vaccinations are offered from September each year. Vaccines are offered for non-school age children aged 2-3 years olds by their GP surgery, whereas school aged children will generally be offered the vaccine in school via the School-Aged Immunisation Service (SAIS).

 

Who should have the flu vaccine?

If you are in a group at increased risk of severe illness from flu, you should have a flu vaccination every year. The eligible cohorts for the 2026/2027 season are listed further below, and can also be viewed on the Gov.Wales website here:  The national influenza immunisation programme 2026 to 2027 (WHC/2026/010) [HTML] | GOV.WALES

If you are eligible, The Practice of Health will invite you in writing (by text or letter) to book an appointment. We aim to offer a range of appointment times, including evening and weekend clinics, to make attending as convenient as possible.

Some eligible patients may also be able to receive their NHS flu vaccination at a participating community pharmacy.

 

More information

For further information about the seasonal flu vaccine, including eligibility, visit the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/

 

How we use your information

To support the delivery of the national flu vaccination programme, Welsh Ministers have directed Local Health Boards to request that GP practices share certain patient information with Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW).

This information is used through the Welsh Immunisation System to:

  • identify patients who are eligible for vaccination;
  • send invitations;
  • book vaccination appointments;
  • record vaccinations that have been given; and
  • monitor the delivery of the national immunisation programme.

Your information is processed securely and only for the purposes of administering and monitoring the NHS flu vaccination programme.

Click here to view our Flu Vaccination Privacy Policy. 

 

 

Eligible Cohorts for Flu Vaccination

The confirmed eligible cohorts for the 2026-2027 Flu Vaccination programme are:

• children aged two and three years on 31 August 2026 (with a date of birth on or after 1 September 2022 and on or before 31 August 2024)

• school aged children from reception to year 11 (inclusive). Vaccinations offered via the School-Aged Immunisation Service

• people aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group 

• people aged 65 years and older (age on 31 March 2027)

• pregnant women

• carers

• health and social care workers and NHS Trust staff

• household contacts of the immunocompromised 

 

Eligible patients will be invited throughout September 2026 to book their Influenza vaccination appointment. Invitations will be sent either by letter or text message to each eligible patient, so please ensure your contact details are up to date with the practice. If you are not invited but feel you should be eligible for a vaccination, please contact the practice to discuss this further.

To provide greater flexibility, we will be holding at least one weekend vaccination clinic for patients who are unable to attend during the week. These clinics will offer both pre-booked timed appointments and a walk-in service, making it as convenient as possible for eligible patients to receive their vaccination.

Details of our weekend clinic dates and times will be confirmed shortly. Once available, this information will be published on our website and shared on our social media channels.

If you receive an invitation, we encourage you to book your appointment as soon as possible to ensure you are protected ahead of the winter respiratory virus season.

 

 

Flu and Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination

As we move into the autumn and winter months, respiratory viruses such as flu (influenza) and COVID-19 become more common. Both viruses can cause serious illness, particularly in older adults, pregnant women, people with certain long-term health conditions, and those with weakened immune systems.

Vaccination is the most effective way to help protect yourself against severe illness, hospitalisation, and complications from both flu and COVID-19.

Why have both vaccines?

Although flu and COVID-19 can cause similar symptoms, they are caused by different viruses. The vaccines protect against different infections, so having one vaccine does not protect you against the other.

Having both vaccinations helps to:

  • Reduce your risk of becoming seriously ill.
  • Lower your chances of needing hospital treatment.
  • Help protect your family, friends, and those who are more vulnerable.
  • Reduce pressure on NHS services during the busy winter period.

 

Can I have my flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time?

Yes. If you are eligible for both vaccinations, it is safe and convenient to have them at the same appointment. Receiving both vaccines together does not reduce their effectiveness and means you are protected against both viruses as soon as possible.

 

Who is eligible for both vaccination?

Eligibility for the flu and COVID-19 vaccination programmes is set nationally and may differ slightly between the two programmes. If you are eligible, you will be contacted either by the Practice or Public Health Wales when it is time to book your appointment. Fore more information about COVID-19 vaccination eligibility, visit our dedicated COVID-19 vaccination page here. 

At present, The Practice of Health is offering flu vaccinations only and is not providing COVID-19 vaccinations.

If you are eligible for both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines this autumn, you have two options:

  • Wait to be invited to a Mass Vaccination Centre, where you may be able to receive both your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations during the same appointment, if available.
  • Book your flu vaccination with The Practice of Health and receive your COVID-19 vaccination separately when you are invited by the NHS to attend a participating pharmacy or vaccination centre.

We strongly encourage eligible patients not to delay their flu vaccination if they have not yet received an invitation for their COVID-19 vaccine. Having your flu vaccine as soon as it is offered will help protect you during the winter months, and you can still receive your COVID-19 vaccination at a later date.

If you have any questions about your eligibility or where to receive your COVID-19 vaccination, please contact the practice.

 

Protect yourself this winter

Getting vaccinated is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your health. If you receive an invitation for your flu and/or COVID-19 vaccination, we encourage you to book your appointment as soon as possible.

 

 

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