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Flu and Covid Season
Why should I have the flu vaccination?
The flu vaccination is important because, while flu is unpleasant for most people, it can be dangerous and potentially life threatening for some people, particularly those with certain health conditions. The best time to have your flu vaccine is in the autumn or early winter before flu starts spreading. But if this isn’t possible for you, we would still advise you have the vaccine later in the season.
Why is it important I have my flu vaccine with my GP practice and not with my local pharmacy/alternative provider?
The flu vaccine season represents a huge expense to your GP Practice, we have dedicated a significant amount of our funding on the season and ensuring we have enough vaccine for our eligible patients.
When you have your flu vaccine with your GP Surgery you are helping us to support patient care at our surgery. Conversely, when you have your vaccine with your pharmacy/alternative provider, the surgery does not receive any funding. At this time, the strains on the NHS are high and we would kindly request, that, wherever it is possible, you have your flu vaccination with us and not an alternative provider. We really appreciate your continued support.
When are the Flu & Covid-19 vaccine clinics this year?
Our clinics for all eligible cohorts took place in the first few days of October 2026. However, we are now offering mop-up clinics for those who still want to attend. Please contact the surgery on 0117 962 3406 to book.
Will I be offered the Covid-19 Vaccine at the same time?
Yes. If you are eligible for the Covid-19 vaccination we will do our best to offer you the Covid-19 vaccine at the same time as your flu vaccination. We will co-administer wherever possible. Due to the pressures on the NHS, we cannot offer you two separate appointments, one for each vaccine. If you wish to have them separately, you can have the flu vaccine with us and attend elsewhere for you Covid-19 vaccine. We cannot offer Covid-19 vaccine appointments only.
In previous years I have been offered an appointment in September, why do I have to wait until October this year?
Based on the evidence that flu vaccine’s effectiveness can wane over time in adults, the start of the programme was moved back to the beginning of October to coincide better with the expected peak of the flu season, later in the year. As flu circulation in children normally precedes that in adults, the children’s programme will start in September as soon as the delivery supply allows. Pregnant women can also receive the vaccine in September as soon as the delivery supply allows.
Which Covid-19 Vaccine will I receive?
Spikevax XFG. No alternative vaccines will be available.
How do I book an appointment for my vaccination?
All eligible patients with a mobile will now have received multiple text invitations from us. If you do not have a mobile, we will have telephoned you. If you have not responded to a previous invite but still want the vaccine or think you are eligible and have not received contact from us, please call us on 0117 962 3406 to book an appointment.
Who is eligible for the flu vaccine?
The flu vaccine is given free on the NHS to adults from the 1st of October who:
- are 65 and over
- aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (if you are eligible you will receive an invite from us)
- are in long-stay residential care
- receive a carer's allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
- live with someone who is more likely to get a severe infection due to a weakened immune system, such as someone living with HIV, someone who has had a transplant, or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
Please note that healthy 50-64 year olds are not eligible for the flu vaccine this year.
In addition to the above, from the 1st of September, pregnant women and children aged 2-3 years (on 31st of August 2024) are eligible. If you are in this group, we will be in touch as soon as we have the vaccine available to offer you (delivery dates are yet to be confirmed).
Who is eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine this autumn?
- Adults aged 75 years and over
- Residents in a care home for older adults
- Persons aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed.
Frontline health and social care workers, staff working in care homes for older adults, unpaid carers and household contacts of people with immunosuppression are not eligible this autumn.
Published: Oct 6, 2026