Health and wellbeing
Walsall residents invited to book their flu and COVID-19 vaccines
Published on
Eligible Walsall residents are being invited to come forward for flu and COVID-19 vaccines this autumn.
The vaccination programmes started on 1 September 2025, when flu vaccines became available for young children (aged 2 and 3), pregnant women, and school-aged children, as well as children in risk groups aged 6 months to 18 years.
From 1 October 2025, the COVID-19 and flu vaccination programme will extend to older adults, people in clinical risk groups, and those living in care homes. Where possible, people will be offered both vaccines at the same time for convenience and maximum protection. Frontline health and social care staff, carers and people living with people with weakened immune systems are also eligible for flu vaccines from this date.
“ As we spend more time indoors over the coming months, illnesses like flu and COVID-19 spread more easily. Viruses also change each year. We know that vaccination uptake has fallen in recent years, and getting vaccinated will protect you and reduce your risk of becoming seriously unwell. Even if you have had the vaccine or had flu or COVID-19, it is important you are vaccinated ahead of winter. I would encourage you or others you know who are eligible to take up the invite as soon as possible and book an appointment. “
“ Flu and COVID-19 are still serious illnesses that can lead to hospitalisation, especially for older people, those with long-term conditions, and pregnant women. We want to make it as easy as possible for people to get protected, whether that’s at their GP, a pharmacy, a school clinic, or a specially arranged community session. “
Alongside flu and COVID, eligible residents can also get their Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination at their local GP practice where they live. This vaccination is available for those aged 75 to 79 or pregnant women over 28 weeks.
Pneumococcal vaccines are also available for anyone aged 65 and over via GP practices.
Those eligible for COVID-19 and flu vaccinations can book an appointment via the National Booking System. Appointments are also available on the NHS App or by calling 119.
Calls to 119 are free from mobiles and landlines and the booking service provides support in 200 different languages.
Those who have difficulties communicating or hearing or are a BSL user can use textphone 18001 or the NHS 119 British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter service.
For more information on the flu vaccine visit the NHS website.
For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine, visit the NHS website.
You can also find out more about the RSV vaccine and the Pneumococcal vaccine on the NHS website.
Eligibility
Those eligible for a free flu vaccine this year include:
- all adults aged 65 years and over
- those aged 6 months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups
- pregnant women
- children aged 2 or 3 on 31 August 2025
- school-aged children (Reception to Year 11)
- residents and staff in long-stay care homes
- carers and household contacts of immunocompromised individuals
- frontline health and social care workers
Those eligible for an autumn COVID-19 vaccine include:
- are aged 75 or over (including those who will be 75 by 31 January 2026)
- are aged 6 months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment
- live in a care home for older adults
Eligible residents may also be able to receive other vaccines, such as the Shingles vaccine through their GP (for adults aged 65 and over and those aged 18+ with a severely weakened immune system. To find out more, speak to your GP.
