COVID-19 and Flu Vaccine Eligibility: Autumn/Winter 2025/26

Posted by: Hardy Fox - Posted on:

​Important Changes to COVID-19 Vaccination Eligibility

COVID-19 vaccination eligibility has changed for autumn/winter 2025/26. As COVID-19 has become a milder infection for most people, vaccination is now only offered to those at highest risk of serious illness—a change from previous years.

Please note: You may be eligible for flu vaccination but not COVID-19 vaccination, even if you’ve received it before. Eligibility will be checked at your vaccination appointment.

COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility

You can get the autumn/winter COVID-19 vaccine if you:

  • Are aged 75 or over (including those who will turn 75 by 31 January 2026)
  • Are aged 6 months to 74 years with a weakened immune system due to a health condition or treatment
  • Live in a care home for older adults

Weakened Immune System Conditions

You may be eligible if you have a weakened immune system because of:

  • Blood cancer (leukaemia, lymphoma, or myeloma)
  • Organ transplant, bone marrow transplant, or stem cell transplant
  • HIV
  • Genetic disorders affecting the immune system (such as severe combined immunodeficiency – SCID)
  • Current or recent chemotherapy, biological therapy, or radiotherapy
  • Steroid medication (depending on dosage)
  • Long-term immunosuppressive treatment for conditions including:
    • Lupus
    • Rheumatoid arthritis
    • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
    • Scleroderma
    • Psoriasis

(A complete list of eligible conditions can be found on pages 35-36 of the Green Book).

Flu Vaccine Eligibility

The flu vaccine is recommended for people at higher risk of becoming seriously ill from flu.

You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:

  • Are aged 65 or over (including those who will turn 65 by 31 March 2026)
  • Have certain long-term health conditions (see below)
  • Are 2-3 years old
  • Are school-aged (reception to year 11)
  • 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.

Long-Term Health Conditions Eligible for Flu Vaccine

The flu vaccine is recommended for people with:

  • Respiratory conditions: Asthma (requiring steroid inhaler or tablets), COPD, or cystic fibrosis
  • Heart conditions: Coronary heart disease or heart failure
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Liver disease: Cirrhosis or hepatitis
  • Neurological conditions: Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, or cerebral palsy
  • Diabetes or Addison’s disease
  • Weakened immune system: Due to conditions like HIV/AIDS or treatments such as chemotherapy or steroid medication
  • Spleen problems: Sickle cell disease or spleen removal
  • Learning disability
  • Severe obesity: BMI of 40 or above