Stay Protected This Winter – Book Your COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines Today

The NHS national booking system is now open, allowing thousands of eligible residents in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin to book their COVID-19 and flu vaccinations for the 2025/2026 winter season.

Residents in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin are being encouraged to book their flu and Covid-19 vaccination ahead of winter to get the best protection.

Appointments for flu and COVID-19 can be booked online via the NHS national booking service, the NHS App, by calling 119, or through your GP practice, or community pharmacy for flu vaccinations. Walk-in appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations are also available, with details on the NHS Walk-in Finder.

The vaccination programme will launch next month on 1 October 2025.

Those eligible for winter vaccines will receive invitations from the NHS to encourage them to get their Covid and flu jabs.

Anyone who has not yet received previous doses is encouraged to do so to strengthen protection against severe illness.

COVID-19 vaccinations will be available from 1 October 2025 to 31 March 2026 for people who are most at risk, including:

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

Flu vaccinations are available for different groups at different times:

Available now until 31 March 2026 for:

• Pregnant women
• Children aged 2 or 3 on 31 August 2025
• Primary school children (Reception to Year 6)
• Secondary school children (Year 7 to Year 11)
• Children in clinical risk groups aged 6 months to under 18 years

Available from 1 October 2025 to 31 March 2026 for:

• Adults aged 65 and over
• Adults aged 18–64 in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book, Influenza Chapter 19)
• Residents in long-stay care homes
• Carers in receipt of Carer’s Allowance or who are the main carer of an older or disabled person
• Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
• Frontline social care workers without an employer-led occupational health scheme

Dr. Lorna Clarson, Chief Medical Officer at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, said:
“We strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to book their COVID-19 and flu vaccinations. Vaccination is the safest and most effective way to protect yourself and your loved ones from serious illness. Appointments are available at GP practices, pharmacies and walk-in clinics. For those who are housebound, home visits can be arranged.”

COVID-19 and flu continue to circulate and can cause serious illness, particularly among older adults and those with weakened immune systems. Last winter, NHS data showed that an average of around 100 hospital beds per day were occupied by patients with COVID-19. Vaccination remains the best way to reduce the risk of severe illness, with the Autumn 2024 COVID-19 vaccine reducing hospitalisation risk by around 40% within three months.

Stay protected this winter – Think vaccination.

For more information, including vaccination sites and eligibility details, visit the NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Vaccinations webpage.