Posted on: 3 November 2025
Did you know that the Flu season has started early this year?
The UK’s winter flu season has begun around five weeks earlier than usual, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
Cases are rising quickly among children and young people, and are expected to spread across older age groups in the coming weeks.
Health officials are encouraging everyone eligible for a flu vaccine including NHS staff to get protected as soon as possible. Early vaccination will help prevent infection and reduce pressure on services during the busy winter period.
Dr Suzanna McDonald, UKHSA’s flu lead, said:
“We’re seeing flu circulate earlier than usual this year, particularly among school-aged children and young adults. We expect this to spread throughout the community in the coming weeks. Flu is not just a bad cold — it can be very serious, especially for vulnerable groups.”
Over the past three years, the UK has seen two of the worst flu seasons in a decade, with thousands of hospitalisations and nearly 8,000 flu-related deaths last year alone. Experts warn that early circulation could mean the virus peaks before many people have been vaccinated.
Dr Alex Allen, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, added:
“If you’re eligible for a vaccine, it’s because you’re at greater risk of severe illness. The flu jab remains our best defence — it reduces the risk of serious infection and helps protect those around you.”
The flu vaccine is the best way to protect themselves, their colleagues, and their patients. Vaccinations are available through staff clinics, occupational health, and participating pharmacies.
Why get vaccinated?
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Protect yourself – reduce your chances of catching flu and becoming seriously unwell.
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Protect others – even if you’re healthy, you can still pass flu on to vulnerable people.
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Protect services – vaccination helps keep hospitals, GP practices, and essential services running smoothly through the busy winter months.
The flu jab is safe, effective, and quick. Most people only experience mild side effects, such as a sore arm for a day.
Staff are stepping up!
Who’s eligible and when?
The flu vaccine is recommended for people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.
It's offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter.
You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:
- are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2026)
- 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 a carer's allowance
- live with someone who has a weakened immune system
Frontline health and social care workers can also get a flu vaccine through their employer.
Most eligible people can get the flu vaccine from 1 October 2025.
Some people, including anyone who is pregnant, can get vaccinated from 1 September 2025.
You may be able to get a flu vaccine from:
- your GP surgery
- a pharmacy that offers NHS flu vaccination
- your maternity service (if you're pregnant)
- your care home (if you live in a care home)
- your employer (if you're a health or social care worker)
Book online now
If you're aged 18 or over, you can book a flu vaccination appointment at a pharmacy online or in the NHS App now.
Vaccination appointments will take place from 1 October 2025.
“I’m healthy, so I don’t need the vaccine”
Even if you feel well, you can still catch and spread flu. Vaccination helps protect the most vulnerable around you.
“The vaccine made me ill last time”
The flu jab cannot give you flu. Temporary side effects like a sore arm or mild fever are normal and short-lived.
For CNWL staff
View the CNWL walk in Flu clinics below - no need to book!
Remember: bring your NHS ID to prove eligibility. You will also be asked to sign a sheet so we can track uptake on the OU site. This information will help plan future collaborations with the Rainbow Pharmacy team.
Don’t forget: Bring your NHS number and Trust ID to your appointment.
Milton Keynes Staff
This year in Milton Keynes, we are joining up with our colleagues from Rainbow Pharmacy, who run the vaccination centre at the Michael Young Building, Open University Site (MK7 6AA).
- The clinic operates 9am–6pm, Monday to Friday, and on some weekends.
- Walk-in appointments are welcome.
- Opening hours for the coming weeks:
- Wednesday 1 October – Sunday 5 October: 9am–1pm and 2pm–6pm
- Monday 6 October – Saturday 11 October: 9am–1pm and 2pm–6pm
If you prefer to book an appointment in advance, you can do so via the NHS central booking system:
Book, change or cancel a free NHS flu vaccination at a pharmacy – NHS
(Use postcode MK7 6AA for the site.)
Remember: bring your NHS ID to prove eligibility. You will also be asked to sign a sheet so we can track uptake on the OU site. This information will help plan future collaborations with the Rainbow Pharmacy team.
Don’t forget: Bring your NHS number and Trust ID to your appointment.
As we enter flu season, it’s important that we continue to protect ourselves, our patients, and each other. This year, our occupational health team is making it easier than ever to access your flu vaccination –because we deliver flu (the jab, not the illness).
To arrange vaccinations within your area, please:
- Gather a group of 5–10 staff members from your team who wish to receive the flu jab.
- Notify the Flu Team at least one week in advance to arrange a convenient date and time for them to visit your department.
This initiative ensures that everyone has the opportunity to be vaccinated with minimal disruption to services.Email us at cnwl.fluvaccinationteam@nhs.net
If you’ve had your flu jab somewhere else, we still want to hear from you! Let us know by filling in this form so your vaccination can be recorded and you’ll be entered into our prize draw as a thank you for doing your part to protect yourself, our patients, and your colleagues.
You can also get the jab from a pharmacy too if that is more convenient than the vaccination clinics
For more info on the Flu jab visit the NHS website or contact your GP.
💉 This winter, do your part: roll up your sleeve, get vaccinated, and protect your community.