Eligible people in Sefton can now book their flu vaccinations

SINCE Tuesday, 1 September 2026, Flu Jabs for certain groups, including:- pregnant women and children, are now being issued. They are also available for young people aged 17 and over attending a special educational needs (SEN) School who are also in a clinical risk group.

Eligible people will be able to get their flu vaccination from a variety of places in their local community. This includes:- GP practices and participating high street pharmacies.

Pregnant women can access the vaccination through their maternity service (if their maternity service offers this).

You can book an appointment using the the NHS app.

Or you can book over the phone by calling:- 119, which is free of charge. You can ask for an interpreter if you need 1.

Vaccinations are usually given to adults by injection, while a nasal spray is provided for most children.

Flu can be a serious illness...

Flu can be a serious illness for:- children, pregnant women, older adults and people with some long-term health conditions. For these people flu can result in them being hospitalised. In certain cases, it can cause severe respiratory failure or even death.

Last winter, nearly 19 million people in England received a flu jab. It is estimated that as a result of those vaccinations, around:- 104,000 hospitalisations were avoided last year.

You can help lower the risk of you or your child being admitted to hospital with flu by booking an appointment now.

Other groups, including:- those aged 65 years and over, all adults in a clinical risk group, and adults in care homes, will start receiving Flu jabs from the start of October. Carers and people in close contact with the immunocompromised and frontline healthcare workers will also be eligible from October. People experiencing homelessness will be able to access the NHS vaccine for the first time this October in recognition of their vulnerability.

England's Chief Nursing Officer Duncan Burton said:- "The flu jab is 1 of our best defences against winter illness. It takes just a few minutes, but it can protect you for months, helping to prevent serious illness, avoid hospital admissions and keep the most vulnerable people safe. I'd encourage everyone who is eligible to come forward as soon as they are invited. By getting your flu jab, you're not only protecting yourself, but also your loved ones, your community and helping the NHS prepare for winter."

Dr Julie Yates, UK Health Security Agency's Deputy Director for Immunisation Programmes, said:- "Booking early means you'll be vaccinated in good time, before these viruses start circulating widely, giving you the best possible protection through the autumn and winter months. I strongly encourage everyone eligible to take up the offer and get vaccinated."

You can find out more about who should have the flu vaccine and how to get it here.