The NHS national booking system is now open, allowing eligible residents across the East of England to schedule their annual COVID-19 and Flu vaccinations for 2025/2026.

COVID-19 vaccination appointments will be available from 1 October 2025 through to 31 March 2026 and people eligible include:

• Residents in care homes for older adults
• Adults aged 75 and over
• People aged 6 months and older who are immunosuppressed

Flu vaccinations are available now until 31 March 2026 for:

• pregnant women
• all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024
• primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6)
• secondary school aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11)
• all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years

Flu vaccinations are available from 1 October 2025 to 31 March 2026 for:

• people aged 65 years and over
• people aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book, Influenza Chapter 19)
• people 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 including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and those that are employed by those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets, such as Personal Assistants

COVID-19 and flu continue to circulate and can be highly dangerous, particularly for older adults and immunosuppressed individuals. Last winter, NHS statistics show an average of around 100 hospital beds each day were occupied by patients with COVID-19. UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data shows that the Autumn 2024 COVID-19 vaccine reduced the risk of hospitalisation by around 40% within three months after vaccination.

Kate Keeling, Head of Immunisations at NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board, said: “We strongly encourage everyone eligible to book their COVID-19 and flu vaccination. Last winter’s experience showed how serious the viruses can be, and vaccination is the best way to reduce the risk of severe illness. Our teams are working hard to make it as easy as possible to get vaccinated, whether at a local GP, large vaccination site, pharmacy, or via a home visit for those who are housebound.”

Appointments are available at a variety of sites including GP practices and pharmacies across the East of England. Walk-in appointments are also on offer for COVID-19 vaccinations with full details available on the NHS Walk-in Finder. Home visits for people receiving all their care at home can be arranged via their GP.

Anyone eligible who has not yet received previous doses is encouraged to take up the offer to strengthen protection against serious illness.

For more information about the COVID-19 and flu vaccines and other available vaccinations, please visit the Norfolk and Waveney Vaccinations webpage.