Who will be offered the flu vaccine?
The national influenza immunisation programme aims to provide direct protection to those who are at higher risk of influenza associated morbidity and mortality. Groups eligible for influenza vaccination are based on the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and include older people, pregnant women, and those with certain underlying medical conditions.
Therefore, those eligible for NHS influenza vaccination in 2022 to 2023 are:
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- those aged 65 years and over
- those aged six months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups
- all children aged 2 to 10 (but not 11 years or older) on 31 August 20221 (i.e. up to school Year 6)
- pregnant women
- those in long-stay residential care homes
- carers
- close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
Additionally
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- 50 to 64 year olds not in clinical risk groups (including those who turn 50 by 31 March 2023)
- Secondary school-aged children focusing on years 7, 8 and 9 and any remaining vaccine will be offered to years 10 and 11, subject to vaccine availability
