--- title: "Flu Is Rising Early This Winter: Who Gets the Free Flu Jab, What the Side Effects Are and Why Some Pharmacies Have Run Out" description: Who can get the free NHS flu jab this winter, how to book, the common side effects and what to do if your pharmacy has run out of vaccine. author: Dr Marina Nani (Editor-in-Chief) date: 2026-11-06T10:00:00.048Z updated: 2026-11-06T10:00:00.065Z canonical: https://richhealthmagazine.com/article/flu-jab-2026-who-is-eligible-side-effects-shortages image: https://cdn.nanimediahouse.com/pexels-3961224.webp categories: Health content_type: Guide publication: Rich Health Magazine schema_type: Article --- Flu is spreading earlier than usual in England this autumn. In the week to 1st November, 7.6 per cent of flu tests came back positive, up on the week before, and children aged 5 to 11 had the highest rate of flu A at 10.7 per cent. Hospital admissions for flu rose by 12.7 per cent in a single week, and flu cases in September were the highest for five years. Demand for the jab has outrun supply in places. On 3rd November, Community Pharmacy England warned that stock of one of the main vaccines used for adults aged 18 to 49 was under pressure, with some pharmacies already out. The vaccine takes up to 14 days to protect you. If you are eligible and still waiting, booking this week gives you that protection before December. ## Flu Cases in England This Winter Most of the flu circulating so far is flu A. Of the 351 flu viruses analysed by the UK Health Security Agency since the end of August, 229 were the H1N1 strain, 90 were H3N2 and 32 were flu B. You can follow the weekly figures in the [national flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports](https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-reports-2026-to-2027-season/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-report-5-november-2026-week-45). This winter's vaccine protects against three strains, two of flu A and one of flu B, and all three have been updated for the 2026 to 2027 season. One of them is subclade K, the H3N2 variant that dominated last winter and earned the unofficial name 'Super-K'. ## Who Can Get the Free NHS Flu Jab You can have the flu vaccine free on the NHS if you: - are aged 65 or over, including if you turn 65 by 31st March 2027 - are aged 18 to 64 and have certain long-term health conditions, such as asthma that needs a steroid inhaler or tablets, COPD, heart disease, chronic kidney or liver disease, diabetes, a learning disability, a weakened immune system or a BMI of 40 or above - are pregnant, at any stage of pregnancy - live in a care home - are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive carer's allowance - live with someone who has a weakened immune system - are aged 16 or over and sleeping rough or staying in a homeless hostel or night shelter Frontline health and social care workers can get the vaccine through their employer. If you are not sure whether your health condition qualifies, ask your GP surgery or specialist. Children are offered the vaccine if they were aged 2 or 3 on 31st August 2026, if they are in school from reception to year 11, or if they are aged 6 months to 17 and in a clinical risk group. Most children have a nasal spray rather than an injection. ## What Is New This Winter People aged 16 and over who sleep rough or use homeless hostels and night shelters are included in the national programme for the first time. Some community pharmacies can now vaccinate children aged 2 to 17 who are in clinical risk groups, and from 1st December some pharmacies will help vaccinate school-aged children who missed the school session. That catch-up matters for your whole household. Only 55.5 per cent of primary school children had the vaccine last winter, and school-aged children currently have the highest flu rates in England. ## Flu Vaccine Shortage at Pharmacies The NHS gives different flu vaccines to different age groups. For adults aged 18 to 49, the first-choice vaccine this season is a cell-based vaccine, and this is the one now in short supply, with no further stock available from wholesalers or the manufacturer. If your pharmacy has run out, NHS guidance says it should send you to another provider that has stock or ask you to rebook once stock arrives. Where no first-choice vaccine is available locally, the pharmacy can offer you a second-choice vaccine. To save yourself a wasted trip, call your pharmacy before you go, try your GP surgery or a second pharmacy, or check appointments through the NHS website. ## How to Book Your Flu Jab If you are eligible, you can: - [book online on the NHS website](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/vaccination-and-booking-services/book-flu-vaccination/) or in the NHS App - call 119 free of charge to book by phone, with an interpreter if you need one - book at a pharmacy that offers the free NHS vaccine - contact your GP surgery If you are pregnant, your maternity service may also offer it. The last day to have your NHS flu vaccine is 31st March 2027, and online booking closes on 30th March 2027. ## Flu Jab Side Effects The common side effects are mild and usually clear within one to two days: - pain or soreness where the injection went in - a slightly raised temperature - an aching body A severe allergic reaction is very rare, and the person who vaccinates you is trained to treat one straight away. The only people who cannot have the vaccine are those who have had a serious allergic reaction to an earlier dose or to one of its ingredients. The vaccine is safe at any stage of pregnancy and while you breastfeed. It protects you and helps protect your baby in the first few months after birth. ## Having Flu, Covid and Shingles Jabs Together You can have your flu vaccine at the same appointment as your COVID-19 or shingles vaccine. If you are pregnant, you can have it alongside the RSV vaccine from 28 weeks and the whooping cough vaccine. Older adults do not usually have the flu and RSV vaccines together, unless a doctor or nurse thinks it is needed. If you are over 65, read our guide to the [new flu vaccine for older adults](https://richhealthmagazine.com/article/aqivc-flu-vaccine-older-adults-three-methods). ## How Well the Flu Jab Works The vaccine does not stop every infection, but if you catch flu after your jab, it is likely to be milder and shorter. Protection fades over the months and the strains change every year, so you need a new vaccine each autumn. Sleep, food and stress all shape how well your immune system copes through winter. Our guide on [supporting your immune system through cold and flu season](https://richhealthmagazine.com/article/foods-habits-support-immune-system-winter) covers the daily habits that help. If you are not eligible for a free jab, most high street pharmacies offer a private flu vaccine, usually for under £20. ## Flu Jab Questions **Q: Can you have a flu jab if you have a cold?** Yes. A minor illness such as a cold does not stop you having the flu vaccine. If you have a high temperature, wait until you feel better before you have it. For children having the nasal spray, a heavily blocked or runny nose can stop the vaccine getting into their system, so the spray may be postponed until their nose clears. **Q: Can the flu jab make you ill?** The injected flu vaccines given to adults in the UK do not contain live flu virus and cannot give you flu. You may have a sore arm, a slightly raised temperature or an aching body for one to two days afterwards. Serious side effects are very rare. **Q: Is the flu jab a live vaccine?** Flu vaccines for adults are injections and are not live. The nasal spray given to most children contains a weakened live flu virus, which does not cause flu in the children who receive it. Children who are severely immunosuppressed may be advised to have an injected vaccine instead. **Q: How much is a flu jab in the UK?** The flu jab is free on the NHS if you are aged 65 or over, pregnant, have certain long-term health conditions, are a carer or live in a care home. If you are not eligible, most high street pharmacies sell a private flu jab, usually for under £20.