Eligible children and pregnant women across Norfolk and Suffolk are being encouraged to get their free NHS flu vaccination as this year’s vaccination programme gets underway.
From 1 September 2026, the following groups are eligible for a free NHS flu vaccination:
- Pregnant women
- All children who were aged 2 or 3 years by 31 August 2026
- School-aged children from Reception to Year 11
- All children in clinical risk groups, including those with a learning disability, aged from 6 months to less than 18 years
NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care Board (ICB) is encouraging everyone who is eligible to take up their vaccination as soon as they receive an invitation, helping to ensure they are protected before flu begins circulating widely this winter.
Flu can lead to serious health complications and it can be fatal for some people. Children and pregnant women are among those most at risk from the virus.
If you become unwell with flu while pregnant, it can increase the risk of serious complications for both you and your baby, even if you are normally fit and healthy. Vaccination reduces the risk of serious illness, hospital admission and complications caused by flu.
Babies up to six months old cannot receive a flu vaccination but vaccination during pregnancy helps provide protection during the first six months of life. The flu vaccine has been safely given to millions of pregnant women for many years and can be given at any stage of pregnancy.
When you receive your invitation, please don’t delay. Getting vaccinated before flu starts circulating widely offers the best protection. Free flu vaccinations for pregnant women are available through GP practices, maternity services and many community pharmacies.
Parents and carers are also being encouraged to accept flu vaccination offers for their children. Children catch and spread flu easily, and flu can make children seriously unwell, with some needing hospital treatment.
Vaccination helps protect children from flu and its complications, while also helping to reduce the spread of flu to babies, grandparents and vulnerable family members. Even healthy children can become seriously ill with flu, and vaccination can help prevent missed days at school, activities and family events.
For children aged two and three years, free flu vaccinations are available from GP practices from 1 September. Free flu vaccinations for school-aged children will be offered through the school immunisation programme. Children in clinical risk groups aged from six months to less than 18 years can be vaccinated through GP practices or the school vaccination programme.
The nasal spray vaccine offered to children contains a product made from pork gelatine. Parents can request the injectable vaccine for their child if they wish to avoid pork products for faith or other reasons. Information is available from the British Islamic Medical Association website.
Dr Mike Smith, Medical Director, NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care Board, said:
“Flu can be a serious illness, particularly for pregnant women and young children. That’s why I would encourage everyone who is eligible to take up their free vaccination as soon as they are invited.
“For pregnant women, the vaccine helps protect both you and your baby. For parents, it’s an important way to help keep children well and reduce the spread of flu to more vulnerable family members. If your child is offered their vaccine through school, please complete and return the consent form as soon as possible.
“Getting vaccinated early offers the best protection ahead of winter, and with vaccinations available through GP practices, maternity services, community pharmacies and schools, it’s both quick and easy to do.”
Dr Dave McConnell, Clinical Steward for Planned Care and Medicines Optimisation at Norfolk & Suffolk ICB and GP at Norwich Practices Health Centre, said:
“Every winter we see children and pregnant women become seriously unwell with flu, and many of these illnesses can be prevented through vaccination.
“The flu vaccine is safe, effective and free for eligible groups. When you receive your invitation, please don’t delay. Getting vaccinated early is the best way to protect yourself and your family this winter.”
People are encouraged to look out for their NHS invitation and arrange their vaccination as soon as possible.
Vaccinations for other people at-risk of serious complications from flu begin on 1 October 2026.
For more information about vaccinations and eligibility, please visit the ICB’s vaccinations webpage.