Children’s Flu Vaccinations at Pharmacies From 1 October 2026

From 1 October 2026, some community pharmacies in England will be able to provide free NHS flu vaccinations to more children. The pharmacy service covers children aged 2 and 3, and children aged 2 to under 18 who are in eligible clinical risk groups. It also provides a catch-up route for eligible school-age children who missed vaccination at school from 1 December 2026.

What is changing?

Community pharmacies are becoming an additional route for children’s NHS flu vaccinations in England during the 2026/27 flu season. From 1 October, participating pharmacies can vaccinate children aged 2 and 3, as well as children aged 2 to under 18 who are in an eligible clinical risk group.

The pharmacy service does not replace vaccination through GP practices or school-age immunisation services. Those services continue to offer vaccinations under their own arrangements, with GP and school-age provision starting from 1 September 2026 or as soon as vaccine is available.

Which children can get a flu vaccine at a pharmacy?

From 1 October 2026, a participating pharmacy can provide a free NHS flu vaccination to children who are:

• aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2026, or
• aged 2 to under 18 and in an eligible clinical risk group.

For children aged 2 or 3, the NHS defines eligibility by their age on 31 August 2026. This means the offer applies to children born between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2024.

The pharmacy service is not a general offer to every child in England. Eligibility depends on the child’s age or clinical risk group and, for pharmacy vaccination, the service must be available at the pharmacy being used.

What if my child has a health condition?

Children aged 2 to under 18 who are in an NHS-defined clinical risk group can receive their flu vaccination through a participating pharmacy from 1 October 2026.

Clinical risk groups include children with certain long-term conditions that increase their risk from flu. The official programme guidance covers groups including some children with chronic respiratory, heart, kidney, liver or neurological conditions, as well as children with diabetes or weakened immune systems. The full eligibility criteria are more detailed than a simple list of diagnoses, so if you are unsure whether your child’s condition qualifies, check the NHS guidance or speak to their GP or specialist.

There is an important age distinction: children in clinical risk groups who are under 2 are eligible for the flu vaccination programme where they meet the clinical criteria, but they are not included in the community pharmacy service described here.

Can my 2 or 3-year-old get the vaccine at a pharmacy?

Yes. Children who are aged 2 or 3 on 31 August 2026 can receive their NHS flu vaccination at a participating pharmacy from 1 October.

They can also be vaccinated through their GP surgery from 1 September 2026, or as soon as vaccine is available. The NHS says parents do not need to wait for an invitation before contacting their child’s GP surgery.

Can school-age children get the vaccine at a pharmacy?

School-age children who are offered flu vaccination through their school-age immunisation service should normally receive it through that programme. The pharmacy service provides an additional catch-up option.

From 1 December 2026, children from Reception to Year 11 who did not get vaccinated at school can also receive an NHS flu vaccination at a participating pharmacy.

This is separate from the pharmacy offer for 2- and 3-year-olds and children aged 2 to under 18 in clinical risk groups, which starts on 1 October.

Do I have to pay?

No. The pharmacy service is part of the NHS flu vaccination programme, so eligible children can receive the vaccination free of charge at a participating pharmacy.

Do I need to book an appointment?

You can use the NHS service to find a pharmacy offering free flu vaccination and check the age groups that each pharmacy accepts. The NHS says you do not have to book an appointment or be registered with a GP to use the pharmacy service.

Pharmacies will offer walk-in vaccinations from 1 October 2026. You can also use the NHS service to check opening times and, where available, book a vaccination appointment online or by phone. Because individual pharmacies may accept different age groups, check the service before travelling.

Will every pharmacy offer children’s flu vaccinations?

No. The service is provided by participating community pharmacies. NHS England says pharmacies offering the 2- and 3-year-old service should be identifiable through the National Booking Service and the NHS ‘find a flu service’ information.

The NHS pharmacy finder also lets you check which age groups a particular pharmacy accepts, so do not assume that every pharmacy will offer vaccination to every eligible child.

Which flu vaccine will my child receive?

For most eligible children, the recommended flu vaccine is the live attenuated influenza vaccine, usually given as a nasal spray. An injected flu vaccine may be used when the nasal vaccine is unsuitable or contraindicated.

The right vaccine depends on the child’s circumstances and the clinical guidance for the programme. If you have questions about which vaccine is suitable for your child, ask the vaccinating healthcare professional rather than trying to choose a vaccine yourself.

What if my local pharmacy does not offer the service?

You can use the NHS pharmacy finder to look for another participating pharmacy and check which age groups it accepts. Your child’s GP or school-age immunisation service may also provide the vaccination through the route that applies to them.

If you are unsure which route applies, use the NHS flu vaccination guidance or contact the appropriate NHS service.

What about children outside England?

This change applies to the NHS flu vaccination arrangements in England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own vaccination programmes and delivery arrangements.

The 1 October pharmacy arrangements described in this article should therefore not be assumed to apply elsewhere in the UK.

What parents need to do

If your child is eligible for pharmacy vaccination, use the NHS pharmacy finder to check which participating pharmacies are available locally and whether they accept your child’s age group.

If your child is aged 2 or 3 on 31 August 2026, the pharmacy route is available from 1 October. If your child is aged 2 to under 18 and in a clinical risk group, the pharmacy route is also available from 1 October. School-age children from Reception to Year 11 who miss their school vaccination can use the pharmacy catch-up route from 1 December.

If you are unsure whether your child qualifies because of a medical condition, check the official NHS eligibility information or speak to their GP or specialist.

Information checked

This article was checked against current official information from GOV.UK, NHS England and the NHS, including the 2026/27 national flu immunisation programme guidance, the NHS children’s flu vaccination information and the NHS pharmacy vaccination service.

Disclaimer

This article provides general information about the NHS children’s flu vaccination programme in England based on official information available when checked. Vaccination arrangements and eligibility rules can change. For questions about your child’s individual medical circumstances, use the NHS guidance or speak to an appropriate healthcare professional.