Flu vaccine programme 2025
Flu is an infectious illness. It is spread through the coughs and sneezes of people who are carrying the virus. Having the flu vaccine makes it less likely that you will get flu. And if you do get flu, you are less likely to become seriously ill if you have had the vaccine.
Most eligible people should be able to get the flu vaccine from 1 October 2025.
Who can have the flu vaccine on the NHS?
The annual flu vaccine is given by injection. The injectable flu vaccine is not live and is safe for people who have a weakened immune system.
In England, people who can have the flu vaccine free on the NHS during the 2025 to 2026 flu season include:
People in at-risk groups and those who care for them
- Anyone aged 6 months or over with certain health conditions. This includes people with a weakened immune system because of a medicine they are taking.
- Anyone who lives with someone with a weakened immune system.
- Anyone who is the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receives a carer's allowance.
- Anyone living in a care home.
- Pregnant people.
- Frontline workers in health and social care should be able to get a flu vaccine through their employer.
Older people
- Anyone aged 65 or over, including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2026.
Children and school staff
- Children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024.
- All primary school children and some secondary school children.
Eligibility varies depending on where you live. You might want to check the full details for your nation:
Are all people with Crohn's or Colitis eligible?
Having Crohn’s or Colitis does not automatically mean you can have the flu vaccine free on the NHS. But if you take certain medicines that weaken your immune system, you might be eligible. This includes:
- Immunosuppressants such as azathioprine, mercaptopurine, methotrexate
- Higher doses of steroids, such as the equivalent of 20mg or more of prednisolone each day
- Biologic medicines, such as infliximab, adalimumab, golimumab, mirikizumab, risankizumab, and ustekinumab
- Other targeted medicines, such as etrasimod, filgotinib, ozanimod, tofactinib and upadacitinib
This is not a complete list of medicines which, if you are taking them, means you can get the vaccine on the NHS. Your GP or IBD team can confirm whether the treatment you are taking puts you at risk of being seriously ill if you get flu.
Children
Most children over 2, including all primary school children, can get the flu vaccine on the NHS.
- The school vaccination programme uses the nasal spray flu vaccine. This is not recommended for children who have a weakened immune system because it is a live vaccine. This means it is made from a weakened version of living viruses. In people who have a weakened immune system, live vaccines may cause infections.
- The injectable flu vaccine is not live and is safe for people who have a weakened immune system.
- It is best to ask your child's IBD team which vaccine is suitable for your child.
If your immune system is low and a child you live with has the nasal spray flu vaccine, there may be a very low risk of catching flu from them. Although theoretically possible, no case of this has ever been recorded. But if your immune system is severely weakened, you may wish to see if they can have the injected vaccine instead. You can do this by contacting the child’s GP or school.
What if I’m not eligible to have the flu vaccine on the NHS?
If you are not eligible to have the flu vaccine on the NHS, you could choose to have it privately. You can get a private flu vaccine from many high-street or supermarket pharmacies. It usually costs around £20.
It may be helpful to talk to your IBD team before you have the vaccine.
When should I have the flu vaccine?
High doses of steroids may have an impact on how well the flu vaccine works. This is especially true if you are taking immunosuppressants at the same time. If possible, you should have the vaccine when you are taking the lowest steroid dose. Taking anti-TNF medicines doesn't seem to have a big effect on the flu vaccine.
If you have a high temperature or other symptoms of the flu or other infection you should delay getting the flu vaccine until you are better. You can have the vaccine during a flare-up of your Crohn’s or Colitis symptoms. But it can make it hard to tell whether any symptoms are due to your condition or side effects of the vaccine.
How do I get the flu vaccine?
The system for having the flu vaccine is different in the four nations of the UK.
England: When and where you can get your vaccine depends on your age, job and clinical risk group. The NHS has more information about having the flu vaccine for adults or children.
Northern Ireland: When and where you can get your vaccine depends on your age, job and clinical risk group. You can find out more from NI Direct.
Scotland: If you live in Scotland and are eligible for a flu vaccine on the NHS, you should be contacted when it’s your turn. You can check online what vaccines you’re eligible for and how to book.
Wales: If you can have the vaccine on the NHS, you will be able to get it at your GP surgery or at some community pharmacies. If you work in health or social care, you may be able to get it through your employer. Children who are eligible for the flu vaccine on the NHS will be able to get it from their GP surgery or at school. You can find out more from Public Health Wales
COVID-19 autumn booster vaccines 2025
People taking certain immunosuppressant medicines may not get full protection from COVID-19 vaccines or lose protection faster. Extra vaccine doses can increase their protection. These are known as boosters. If you’re at higher risk of COVID-19, consider having your COVID-19 vaccine boosters when you’re offered them. This is the best way to reduce your risk of severe COVID-19.
The COVID-19 autumn vaccine will be offered to those at highest risk from October 2025. This includes people who are:
- Aged over 6 months and immunosuppressed
- Aged 75 years and over
- Living in a care home for older adults
If you live in England, Northern Ireland or Scotland or you may be able to book an appointment yourself using the link for your nation below. If you live in Wales, The NHS should contact you to let you know when and where to have the vaccine. For more on COVID-19 booster programmes, including who is eligible, see the information for your nation:
- England – NHS England
- Northern Ireland – NI Direct
- Scotland – NHS Inform
- Wales – Public Health Wales
We also have more information on COVID-19 for people with Crohn’s or Colitis.
Can I have the flu and COVID-19 vaccines together?
You should be able to get both the flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster at the same appointment. If so, you will have one vaccine in each arm.
It is safe and effective to have the COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same time.
What about the RSV vaccine?
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of coughs and colds. In most people it usually gets better by itself. But in some people, especially babies and older people, it can lead to serious lung or chest infections.
A vaccination programme is being rolled out to protect older people and young babies against RSV. The RSV vaccine is recommended if:
- You are pregnant, from 28 weeks onwards
- You are aged 75-79
- You became 80 years old after 1 September 2024
Having Crohn’s or Colitis does not necessarily mean that you should have the RSV vaccine, even if you are taking medicines that weaken your immune system.
Is it safe to have the RSV vaccine if I have Crohn’s or Colitis?
The RSV vaccine is a non-live vaccine. It is OK to have it at any time, even if you are taking medicine that weakens your immune system.
Can I have the RSV vaccine at the same time as other vaccines?
If you're pregnant, you can have the RSV vaccine at the same time as other pregnancy vaccines, such as the whooping cough and flu vaccines. But it's best to have them as soon as they're offered rather than waiting to have them at the same time.
If you're aged 75 to 79, the RSV vaccine is not usually given at the same appointment as your flu or COVID-19 vaccines. But you can have them at the same time if a doctor or nurse thinks it's needed.
You can have it at the same time as other vaccines, such as the shingles and pneumococcal vaccines.
The NHS website has more information about the RSV vaccine.
