The NHS has begun rolling out its first phase of flu vaccinations for children and pregnant women in England, with the programme starting on 1 September 2026 as health leaders move earlier than ever to prepare for winter pressure on services. The health service said millions of people in the priority groups can now get protected against a virus that can cause serious illness and hospital care, especially among younger children and pregnant women.
Community roll-out aims to make access easier
NHS teams are taking vaccines into local communities, high street pharmacies and mobile vans in an effort to make access simpler for families. Most school-aged children will be offered their flu vaccination at school, while parents of two- and three-year-olds, and children in a clinical risk group, will be invited to arrange an appointment through their GP practice.
The NHS said pregnant women can also receive the RSV vaccine, as well as the whooping cough and flu vaccines, to help protect newborn babies in their first weeks of life. The service said eligible people should expect an invite from their GP practice. More details on eligibility are available on the NHS website. NHS England announcement
Winter planning begins after a demanding summer
The launch comes after the NHS warned earlier in August that it was starting winter preparations sooner than usual, with the national booking system opening for eligible people to pre-book appointments before vaccinations began on 1 September. Officials said the move is designed to ease demand after a summer marked by record A&E attendances and intense pressure on emergency departments.
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Yvette Cooper said vaccinations play a vital role in protecting those most at risk from flu and in relieving pressure on the NHS over the winter months. Dr Amanda Doyle, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services at NHS England, said flu can make some children and pregnant women seriously ill or lead to hospital admission.
Flu typically peaks in December and January, making early autumn vaccination an important step in reducing the number of people who become seriously ill later in the season. The NHS says the campaign is intended not only to protect those most vulnerable, but also to help the wider health service cope with what is expected to be another challenging winter. NHS England news
For parents and expectant mothers, the message is straightforward: book the jab as soon as it is offered. With vaccinations now under way, the NHS is hoping that an early start will translate into fewer severe flu cases, fewer hospital admissions and better protection for babies, children and pregnant women through the colder months.
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