Flu and COVID-19 vaccine eligibility

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COVID-19 

Every year, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) considers who needs to be vaccinated, to help protect people from serious illness.  Their advice on COVID-19 has changed because the threat from COVID-19 has changed.  It has become a more common milder infection for most people.  

This autumn/winter, vaccinations are being offered only to people at higher risk of serious illness – older adults and those who have a weakened immune system because of health condition or treatment.  This is different to previous years.

It is possible for you to be eligible to receive your flu vaccination but not a COVID-19 vaccination, even if you have had it previously.  

You can get the autumn/winter COVID-19 vaccine if you:

  • Are aged 75 or older (including those who will be 75 by 31 January 2026).
  • Are aged 6 months – 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment (see the below list).
  • Live in a care home for older adults.

You may be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine if you have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment.  This can include:

  • Have or had blood cancer, such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma.
  • Have had an organ transplant, bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplant.
  • Have HIV.
  • Have a genetic disorder that affects your immune system, such as severe combined immunodeficiency.
  • Are having or recently had chemotherapy, biological therapy or radiotherapy.
  • Are taking steroid medicine (depending on dose).
  • Are having long-term immunosuppressive treatment for a condition such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, scleroderma or psoriasis.

Flu

The flu vaccination is recommended for people at higher risk of getting seriously ill for flu.

You can get the flu vaccine if you:

  • Are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31st March 2026).
  • Have certain long-term health conditions (see below).
  • 2-3 year olds.
  • School aged children (reception to year 11).
  • Are pregnant.
  • Live in a care home.
  • Are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer’s allowance.
  • Live with someone who has a weakened immune system.

The flu vaccine is recommended for people with certain long-term health conditions, including:

  • Conditions that affect your breathing, such as asthma (needing a steroid inhaler or tablets), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cystic fibrosis.
  • Heart conditions such as coronary hear disease or heart failure. 
  • Chronic kidney disease.
  • Liver diseases, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis.
  • Some conditions that affect your brain or nerves, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy.
  • A weakened immune system due to a conditions such as HIV or AIDS, or due to treatment such as chemotherapy or steroid medicine. 
  • Problems with your spleen, such as sickle cell disease, or if you have had your spleen removed. 
  • A learning disability.
  • Being very overweight – a body mass index of 40 0r above.

If you are unsure if you are eligible to receive the flu or covid-19 vaccination, please speak to a member of our reception team on 01254 919888.