6 October 2025

Flu season has returned but so has your chance to protect yourself, your family, and those around you.

Last winter in England, flu sadly claimed around 8,000 lives. Yet vaccination made a huge difference, preventing up to 120,000 hospitalisations. That’s the life-saving power of a simple flu jab.

 

Why get vaccinated?

  • Protect yourself – reduce your chances of catching flu and becoming seriously unwell.

  • Protect others – even if you’re healthy, you can still pass flu on to vulnerable people.

  • 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.

 

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.

 

How to get the flu vaccine

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.

 

All staff

Vaccinations start from 6 October 2025 via the flu team. Look out for updates on drop-in sessions and clinics near you.

Date

Time

Location

Tuesday 7 October 2025

10am to 1pm

2pm-5pm

Gordon Hospital, Gordon Hospital
Bloomburg Street
London
SW1V 2RH

Wednesday 8 October 2025

10am to 1pm

2pm-5pm

CNWL HQ, 350 Euston Road NW1 3AX

Thursday 9 October 2025

10am to 1pm

2pm-5pm

St Charles Hospital - Mental Health Centre
Exmoor Street
London
W10 6DZ (Ground floor, Family Room)

Friday 10 October 2025

10am to 1pm

St Charles Hospital - Mental Health Centre
Exmoor Street
London
W10 6DZ (Ground floor, Family Room)

Monday 13 October 2025

10am to 1pm

2pm-5pm

Riverside Centre, Hillingdon Hospital
Pield Heath Road
Uxbridge
Greater London
UB8 3NN

Tuesday 14 October 2025

10am to 1pm

2pm-5pm

Nightingale Place, 
London
SW10 9NG

Wednesday 15 October 2025

10am to 1pm

2pm-5pm

St Pancras, South Wing
St Pancras Hospital
4 St Pancras Way
London
NW1 0PE (Camden community teams area, ground floor rooms)

Thursday 16 October 2025

3pm to 8pm

St Pancras, South Wing
St Pancras Hospital
4 St Pancras Way
London
NW1 0PE (Camden community teams area, ground floor rooms)

Friday 17 October 2025

10am to 4pm

Mortimer Market Centre, Capper Street, off Tottenham Court Road
London, WC1E 6JB

 

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.

“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 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.