Updates to flu jab programme aim to improve ‘access and uptake’

Changes have been made to the national flu immunisation programme to improve access and uptake, NHS England (NHSE) has said.

People experiencing homelessness – defined as rough sleepers or those who use hostels and night shelters – should be offered a seasonal flu vaccine from 1 October, it has been announced.

This was first suggested in June 2024 by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and was confirmed by NHSE in March.

Additionally, following a pilot launched last year, NHSE has confirmed community pharmacies will be able to offer flu vaccinations for young children aged two to three years during the 2026 and 2027 flu season from 1 October.

Related Article: From PCOS to PMOS – what nurses need to know

NHSE states this update will ‘supplement’ the offer in general practices which begins from 1 September for some cohorts.

These updates have been made in the national flu immunisation programme 2026 to 2027 letter, which was first published in February. It confirmed the programme for 2026 to 2027 will begin on 1 October for most adult cohorts, with no changes to eligibility groups.

The timing reflects advice from the JCVI, based on evidence of waning vaccine effectiveness in adults, and aims to provide optimal protection during the expected winter peak in December and January.

Health secretary James Murray said people experiencing homelessness have ‘too often been missed’ by health services.

He adds this change is part of the government promise to ‘tackle health inequalities’.

‘For too long, people experiencing homelessness have faced some of the worst health outcomes in the country and have too often been missed by services many of us take for granted,’ he said.

Related Article: Diabetes UK launches new tool to help nurses tackle stigma

‘They should not miss out on potentially life-saving protection against flu when they can be at similar, or even greater, risk from the disease than some groups already eligible for vaccination.

‘This change is about putting that right. By rolling out flu vaccinations to homeless people, we are delivering on our promise to tackle health inequalities and make sure support reaches those who need it most.’

Under the changes announced, community pharmacies will also be able to offer vaccines to children in clinical risk groups, from aged two to 18, to supplement school-aged immunisation services (SAIS) and general practices. Students who miss a vaccination by an SAIS provider can also access the vaccine via a pharmacy from 1 December.

Children in clinical risk groups aged from six months to two years cannot be vaccinated by a community pharmacy.

From 1 September 2026, flu vaccination will be offered to:

Related Article: Nursing in Practice returns to Scotland with CPD event this September

• pregnant women;
• children aged two or three on 31 August 2026;
• primary and secondary school pupils from reception to year 11. (Individuals aged 17 and over attending special educational needs schools who are in a clinical risk group may also be vaccinated alongside their peers.)
• children aged six months to under 18 in clinical risk groups.

From 1 October 2026, eligibility extends to:

• adults aged 65 and over;
• those aged 18 to under 65 in clinical risk groups;
• residents in long-stay care homes;
• carers in receipt of carer’s allowance or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person;
• close contacts of immunocompromised individuals; and
• eligible frontline social care workers without employer-led occupational health schemes.
• People experiencing homelessness