As the cooler days start to creep in, you might be wondering how you can protect yourself from common illnesses like the flu this autumn and winter.

The NHS offers vaccines to those who are eligible to help protect them against the flu and its symptoms.

The flu “can be a serious or life-threatening illness” according to the NHS so it’s important that you get protected when you can.

Here’s everything you need to know about when flu vaccines are available, how to book them and who is eligible.

When are NHS flu vaccines available?

Flu vaccinations cannot currently be booked as the NHS’ service is closed at the time of writing.

However, the health service says it will contact you from September 2024 if your record shows you might be eligible for a seasonal autumn flu vaccine.

The NHS explains that most people who are eligible will be able to get the vaccine from Thursday, October 3, 2024.

It added: “This may be later than you've had the vaccine before, but it means you'll have the best protection when flu is most widespread.”

People who are pregnant, especially if near the due date, or those who are about to have treatment that weakens the immune system, like chemotherapy, can get the vaccine from September 2024.

How to book a flu vaccine

If you’d like to book a flu vaccine with the NHS, you can do it online or over the phone.

To book online, you’ll need to be 18 or over and be registered with a GP surgery in England.

If you’d prefer to book over the phone, you’ll need to call 119 which is free of charge.

Those who find communicating and hearing difficult can use textphone 18001 or the NHS 119 British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter service.

Who can have the NHS flu jab?

The NHS recommends the flu jab to people who are at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu and the health service offers it annually in autumn or early winter.

You can get the free NHS flu jab if you:

  • are aged 65 or over
  • have certain long-term health conditions
  • are pregnant
  • live in a care home
  • are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive carer’s allowance
  • live with someone with a weakened immune system

If you are a frontline health and social care worker, you can get a flu jab through your employer.

NHSScotland encourages a person to have the flu vaccine if they are:

  • aged 65 and over
  • aged 18 to 64 with an eligible health condition
  • pregnant
  • living in a long-stay residential care home or other long-stay care facility
  • living with someone who has a weakened immune system
  • an unpaid or young carer
  • a frontline health or social care worker
  • a non-frontline NHS worker
  • a poultry worker
  • an asylum seeker living in a home office hotel or B&B accommodation
  • experiencing homelessness or substance misuse
  • living in a Scottish prison

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In Wales, you can get a flu jab if you are:

  • pregnant
  • aged 65 or over
  • aged six months to 64 years and have a long-term health condition that increases your risk from flu
  • homeless
  • live in care home

If you think you’ll need to get your flu jab sooner, you can speak to your GP.