The change from the NHS was previously announced under the Sir Keir Starmer administration.
NHS confirms flu jab rule change from September 1 under Andy Burnham
The NHS has confirmed a flu jab rule change from October 1 with a new age threshold under new Labour Party government Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The change from the NHS was previously announced under the Sir Keir Starmer administration.
But now he is Labour Party Prime Minister, it is up to Mr Burnham, the Makerfield MP, to administer it. This year, there will be a focussed effort across NHS England, the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department for Education to help ensure school age children are protected.
Mr Burnham has appointed Yvette Cooper, who replaced Wes Streeting in the Makerfield MP’s first Cabinet reshuffle. Mrs Cooper was appointed Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on 20 July 2026, with Mr Streeting instead given the Defence brief. She was previously Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affair.
READ MORE Andy Burnham rules out two rumoured tax changes for households in England
The flu vaccination programme this year should begin on 1 September 2026 for children, pregnant women, and some adults, or as soon as the vaccine is available. All other cohorts from 1 October 2026.
Writing to GP surgeries, NHS England confirmed its national flu immunisation programme had been “amended.” Changes include for two- and 3-year-olds, school-aged children and children in clinical risk groups. Community pharmacy service delivery for 2- and 3-year-olds will begin from 1 October 2026.
Community pharmacy service delivery for children in clinical risks groups (from 2 years to less than 18 years) will begin from 1 October 2026, too.
Community pharmacy service delivery for school-aged children who missed the opportunity to be vaccinated by SAIS providers will begin from 1 December 2026, the NHS also explained.
In another change, in June 2024 the JCVI advised that people experiencing homelessness (defined as “rough sleepers and those using homeless hostels or night-shelters, rather than the broader definitions of homelessness”) should be offered a seasonal flu vaccine, and it was agreed in March that those in this cohort aged 16 years and over should be included in the national flu programme from 1 October 2026.
The changes have been rubber stamped by Dr Thomas Waite, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England and Dr Mary Ramsay, Director of Public Health Programmes, UK Health Security Agency as well as Caroline Temmink, Director of Vaccination, NHS England.