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The flu vaccine rollout is now underway for children and pregnant women, with some NHS providers offering vaccinations in nurseries for two to three-year-olds. Teams across the capital will be administering jabs over the next few weeks, ensuring those under 16 are better protected from nasty symptoms.
Those within high risk group under six months and 18 years old are also eligible for the programme this month. Pensioners, under 65s in clinical risk groups, care home residents and carers will then be offered an appointment from October 1.
It's hoped the scheme will reduce the number of Londoners hospitalised with flu, particularly during the colder months. Last winter saw more than 36,000 beds taken up by such patients with flu - a fifth more than the previous year and over 70% higher than in 2022/23.
Will Huxter, Director of Primary Care for the NHS in London, said: "Each year people are hospitalised because of a range of viruses, putting pressure on services across the capital. Vaccination is our best defence against viruses and can keep you and others out of hospital this winter.
"I would urge all eligible Londoners to come forward for their vaccination appointments as soon as they become available, to help protect themselves and the people around them."
Most school-aged children will receive their flu vaccinations at school, but younger children and those who miss their school or nursery session can also get the vaccine at their GP practice or at a community clinic.
Expectant mothers should speak to their maternity team to receive the flu jab at their scheduled maternity appointments, or by contacting their local GP practice or a pharmacy. From 28 weeks onwards, they can also access the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) jab through their maternity services, or alongside older adults aged 75, via their local GP practice.
Nina Khazaezadeh, Regional Chief Midwife for the NHS in London, said: "It is really important to get vaccinated while pregnant. Not only does it pass on extra protection to your baby, but it helps to keep you safe while your immune system is weakened during pregnancy.
"Flu, whooping cough and RSV jabs are perfectly safe to receive during pregnancy, and are available from today."
Last winter NHS services experienced a mix of seasonal viruses including COVID-19, flu, norovirus and RSV. As a result, the NHS issued a call for pregnant women to come forward for their RSV jabs to help protect their babies due in winter this year against respiratory viruses.
This year, Covid-19 vaccinations will be available to adults aged 75 and over, older adult care home residents, and people who are immunosuppressed.
Vaccines can be secured via the NHS National Booking System, with general appointments starting from Wednesday, October 1. Invitations will also be sent to eligible Londoners to come forward as soon as they can Those eligible can sign up quickly and easily on the NHS website, NHS App or by calling 119.
Who is eligible for the flu vaccine? From September 1, 2025: pregnant women all children aged two or three years on August 31, 2025 primary school children (from Reception to Year 6) secondary school children (from Year 7 to Year 11) all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years From October 1, 2025: those aged 65 and over those aged 18 - 65 in clinical risk groups those in long-stay residential care homes carers in receipt of carer's allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person close contacts of immunocompromised individuals frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme
Health and social care staff will also be offered a flu vaccine from their workplace from Wednesday, October 1.
Who is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine? From October 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026: adults aged 75 and over residents in a care home for older adults individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed.
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