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Winter Covid-19 and flu vaccination campaign launches to protect the most vulnerable
The NHS in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland (LLR) has launched the autumn and winter Covid-19, and flu vaccination programme.
All eligible people can now get vaccinated to protect themselves from becoming seriously unwell from the effects of the viruses particularly during the colder winter months when viruses spread at a faster rate. Health leaders in LLR are urging all local residents to get their free vaccinations if they meet the eligibility criteria in an effort to protect those that are most vulnerable.
The eligible cohorts for the flu vaccination this autumn / winter includes:
- Those aged 65 and over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2026)
- residents in care homes,
- immunosuppressed individuals aged 6 months and over,
- pregnant women,
- clinically vulnerable people,
- close contacts of people with weakened immune systems,
- Frontline health and social care workers can also get a flu vaccine through their employer.
The eligible cohorts for the Covid-19 vaccination this autumn / winter includes:
- Those that are aged 75 or over (including those who will be 75 by 31 January 2026),
- those that are aged 6 months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment,
- residents in care homes for older adults.
*For a comprehensive list of eligibility please visit our website: latest vaccination news – LLR ICB
Dr Virginia Ashman, Clinical lead for the immunisation programme in LLR said: “We want to ensure that local people have the protection they need ahead of winter as it’s a time when viruses can spread much faster. Both the Covid-19 and flu vaccines help protect those that need it most from becoming seriously unwell and requiring hospital treatment. Pneumonia and other serious illnesses can develop from flu and Covid-19 which could be particularly harmful for already vulnerable people. It’s important to remember that the immunity you have built up from previous vaccinations reduces over time and may not be as effective against new variants of both viruses.
“Getting vaccinated will provide the best possible protection against both viruses and is especially important to do before winter fully sets in, so that the vaccines are fully effective within your body. We really can’t stress enough vaccinations really do save lives.”
Pregnant women and children have been able to get the flu vaccine since 1 September 2025. Health leaders are also urging all pregnant women particularly those that are due to give birth this winter to protect their babies by having their Whooping Cough and Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines when eligible as both of these viruses can be particularly harmful to newborn babies. Having these vaccines during pregnancy gives your baby some protection when they are born.
Those that are eligible for either the flu or Covid-19 vaccine do not have to wait to receive an invitation from the NHS bookings team, or their GP practice to be able to book a vaccination appointment. Our local online vaccination hub provides full information about how to book an appointment or find a walk-in clinic across LLR, where people can attend with no appointment necessary. For a full list of all the ways to get vaccinated this autumn click here: www.leicesterleicestershireandrutland.icb.nhs.uk/how-to-get-your-vaccine/
Anyone who believes they should be eligible for a vaccine can check with their GP practice or by clicking here. There must also be a gap of at least three months between Covid-19 vaccinations, the NHS App provides details of all your previous Covid-19 and flu vaccinations.
In LLR people can access their Covid-19 vaccines via their GP practice, community pharmacies or walk-in clinics. Pregnant women also have the option of getting vaccinated at the antenatal clinics at both the Leicester Royal Infirmary and the Leicester General Hospital.
Dr Ashman concludes: “Older people, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems are affected more by winter viruses and it’s why we’re encouraging them and all eligible people to get vaccinated as soon as possible. If you are unsure if you can get vaccinated visit our website or drop in to one of our mobile vaccination clinics and speak to our vaccination team.”
Winter flu vaccine now available for children and pregnant women
The NHS in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland (LLR) has launched this year’s free winter flu vaccination programme, to protect local people ahead of winter. Beginning with pregnant women and all children aged two to 16 years, this year’s flu vaccination offer has also expanded to include those that are aged six months to 18 years and are in clinical risk group.
It’s as easy as possible for all eligible people to now get vaccinated. Most school-aged children will receive their flu vaccinations at school, but younger children and those who miss their school session can also get the flu vaccine at a follow up school clinic, at their GP practice or at a community clinic.
Pregnant women can speak to their midwife about the flu jab at their scheduled maternity appointments, or by contacting their local GP practice or by visiting a community pharmacy. Pregnant women can also find out more about all the recommended vaccinations in pregnancy by listening to the new Leicester Maternity Matters podcast. You can listen to the ‘vaccinations offered in pregnancy’ episode by visiting: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3U8NpR3Ya0mvNsN9qr3qjS.
The LLR Integrated Care Board (LLR ICB) has also produced a short video about the children’s nasal spray flu vaccine. The video features a local nurse administering the vaccine to young children and shows just how quick and easy the process is. It has been developed to help reassure parents and children that the nasal spray vaccine causes no pain and does not involve any needles. It is a safe, quick and easy process, even for very young children. One spray of the vaccine in each nostril is all that is required. You can view the video below or by visiting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtqeTwcyv5E&t=6s
Leicester pharmacies begin to roll out of free RSV vaccine
Some pharmacies in Leicester have been selected to begin offering the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine as part of a phased national roll out to increase take up of the vaccine to help save lives by reducing hospital admissions and severe illness from the preventable virus. The pharmacies have been chosen to support older people aged 75 – 79 in our communities to access the vaccine conveniently. Every year thousands of older adults and babies are hospitalised due to the virus which could be prevented.
Severe RSV is most common in older adults and in infants under 1 years old. Babies are particularly vulnerable to RSV lung infections as they have small airways. RSV infection in infants can cause a condition called bronchiolitis which is inflammation and blockage of the small air tubes in the lung. Infants with severe bronchiolitis may need intensive care and the infection can be fatal.
During pregnancy, the RSV vaccine boosts women’s immune systems to make antibodies which are then passed through the placenta to help protect the baby from RSV from birth onwards.
Vaccination reduces the risk of severe RSV lung infection by around 70% in the first six months of life. All pregnant women from 28 weeks pregnancy until delivery and older adults aged 75-79 are eligible for the RSV vaccine.
The RSV vaccine programme began in September 2024, as part of the initial offer it is available to all those individuals who turned 80 during the first year of the programme. If you have recently turned 80 you can still get a RSV vaccination until Sunday 31 August 2025.
To find a local pharmacy in Leicester, who are offering the RSV vaccine, and book an appointment, visit: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/vaccination-and-booking-services/find-a-pharmacy-where-you-can-get-a-free-rsv-vaccination.
GP practices and hospital antenatal vaccination clinics have been administering this vaccine since September 2024 to all eligible people, to find out where you can get vaccinated against RSV in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, visit: https://leicesterleicestershireandrutland.icb.nhs.uk/your-health/vaccinations/latest-vaccination-news/.
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