The NHS flu vaccine is a free annual jab for people at higher risk from flu, including everyone aged 65 and over, pregnant women, and adults with a long-term health condition. This guide sets out who qualifies in 2026/27, when each group can be vaccinated, and how to book at Rother Care Pharmacy in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Quick Answer: Who Qualifies for a Free Flu Jab in 2026/27?
- Everyone aged 65 or over, including anyone turning 65 by 31 March 2027
- Pregnant women, at any stage of pregnancy
- Adults aged 18 to 64 with a long-term health condition such as asthma, diabetes, or heart or kidney disease (full list below)
- Carers, care home residents, and household contacts of someone with a weakened immune system
- Children aged 6 months to under 18 in a clinical risk group, plus children aged 2 or 3 on 31 August 2026 and school-aged children (Reception to Year 11), who are vaccinated through their GP surgery or the school programme
- Rother Care Pharmacy vaccinates eligible adults aged 18 and over with no GP appointment needed. Walk-ins are allowed, or call 01789 297596 or book an appointment online. See our Flu Vaccination page for details.
Who Gets a Free NHS Flu Vaccine in 2026/27?
A free NHS flu vaccine is offered to groups at higher risk of serious illness from flu, using the eligibility list confirmed by UKHSA and NHS England for 2026/27. You qualify if you are:
- Aged 65 or over, including anyone who will turn 65 by 31 March 2027
- Pregnant, at any stage of pregnancy
- Aged 18 to 64 with a long-term health condition (see the full list below)
- Living in a long-stay residential care home
- The main carer for an older or disabled person, or in receipt of Carer’s Allowance
- Living with someone who has a weakened immune system
- A frontline health or social care worker without access to an employer vaccination scheme
- A rough sleeper, or aged 16 or over and living in a homeless hostel or night shelter
- A child aged 6 months to under 18 years in a clinical risk group
Children aged 2 or 3 on 31 August 2026 are also eligible, and most school-aged children (Reception to Year 11) are offered the nasal spray flu vaccine through the school programme. Both run separately from the pharmacy service.
Which Long-Term Health Conditions Qualify You for a Free Flu Vaccine?
A qualifying long-term condition is a health problem that makes flu more likely to cause serious illness. If you are aged 18 to 64 and have any of these, you can have a free flu vaccine:
- A breathing condition, such as asthma that needs a steroid inhaler or tablets, COPD, or cystic fibrosis
- A heart condition, such as coronary heart disease or heart failure
- Chronic kidney disease (stage 3, 4 or 5)
- Chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis
- A condition affecting the brain or nerves, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, or cerebral palsy
- Diabetes or Addison’s disease
- A learning disability
- A weakened immune system, from a condition such as HIV or a treatment such as chemotherapy or steroid medicine
- Problems with your spleen, such as sickle cell disease, or having had your spleen removed
- A BMI of 40 or above
If you are not sure whether your condition qualifies, speak to our pharmacists or your GP surgery. You can get in touch with our team and we will check for you.
When Can You Get Your Flu Vaccine in 2026/27?
The 2026/27 NHS flu programme runs on two start dates, and each group is offered the vaccine from its own date onwards:
- From 1 September 2026: pregnant women, children aged 2 or 3, school-aged children, and children in clinical risk groups
- From 1 October 2026: everyone else who is eligible, including adults aged 65 and over, adults aged 18 to 64 in a clinical risk group, carers, care home residents, and household contacts
UKHSA’s national surveillance report for week 37 (10 September 2026) shows flu and COVID-19 activity increasing, although both are still circulating at baseline levels. Getting vaccinated early, before winter illness spreads, gives you the best protection because it takes about 14 days after your jab for full protection to build. If you already feel unwell, see How Long Do Cold & Flu Symptoms Last? before you book, and reschedule your jab if you have a fever.
Where Can You Get a Flu Vaccine in Stratford-upon-Avon?
An NHS flu vaccine is given at several places, depending on your age and circumstances:
- Your GP surgery
- An NHS community pharmacy, such as Rother Care Pharmacy, if you are aged 18 or over
- Maternity services, if you are pregnant
- Your care home, if you are a resident
- Your employer, if you are a frontline health or social care worker
At Rother Care Pharmacy on Alcester Road, you can have your flu jab without seeing a GP first. Walk-ins are allowed, or you can call 01789 297596 or book an appointment online if you prefer a set time. Some pharmacies can also vaccinate children aged 2 to under 18 in a clinical risk group from 1 October, so ask the team whether that applies to your family. Full details are on our Flu Vaccination page.
Can You Have the Flu and COVID-19 Vaccines Together?
Yes, the flu vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccines, including the COVID-19 and shingles vaccines. If you are eligible for both this autumn, ask about having them in one visit. Our Flu and COVID Season page has more information.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026/27 Flu Vaccine
Can I walk in for a flu jab at Rother Care Pharmacy?
Yes, walk-ins are allowed at Rother Care Pharmacy for eligible adults aged 18 and over, with no GP appointment needed. You can also book an appointment online or call 01789 297596 if you prefer a set time.
Is the NHS flu vaccine really free?
Yes. If you are in one of the eligible groups above, the flu vaccine is free on the NHS, including at community pharmacies like Rother Care Pharmacy.
Can the flu vaccine give me flu?
No. The injected flu vaccines used in the UK do not contain live flu viruses, so they cannot give you flu. The nasal spray offered to children uses weakened viruses and does not cause flu either.
What if I am not in an eligible group?
You can still have a private flu vaccine at Rother Care Pharmacy. Contact the team to check availability and pricing.
How long does flu vaccine protection last?
Protection builds up over about 14 days and fades over time, which is why a new vaccine is needed every year to match the flu strains circulating that season. Read more in Why Getting Your Flu Vaccine Every Year Matters.
Do children need a flu vaccine every year?
Yes. Flu strains change and immunity from a previous year’s vaccine wanes, so annual vaccination is recommended for everyone in an eligible group, including children.
What to Do Next
Check the groups above, and if you qualify, walk in to Rother Care Pharmacy or call 01789 297596 or book an appointment online. Eligible adults aged 18 and over can be vaccinated without a GP appointment, and getting your jab early means you are protected before winter.
Medical disclaimer: this article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Speak to your pharmacist or GP about your individual circumstances. Eligibility and dates are correct for the 2026/27 season guidance and may change, so check with us for the latest.
Sources: NHS.uk flu vaccine; UKHSA: who is eligible for the autumn 2026 flu vaccine; UKHSA national flu and COVID-19 surveillance report, 10 September 2026. Last updated 24 September 2026.