These pages contain information about the vaccinations on offer this winter across Hertfordshire and west Essex to protect people against flu and COVID-19.
Flu and COVID-19 vaccines will be available for groups of people who might be at risk of becoming seriously unwell if they catch one of the viruses. Having a vaccination is your best protection and booster vaccinations keep your immunity topped up. The vaccination programme will start earlier than in previous years as a precautionary measure following the identification of a new COVID-19 variant.
This autumn, the following groups of people will be eligible for a COVID-19 booster vaccine:
- People aged 65 years and over
- People aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group. If your child is aged between 5 and 11 years old and is in a clinical risk group, they can have their COVID vaccination at a pharmacy. Book online using the national booking service or call 119.
- Residents in a care home for older adults, and some other residential facilities
- Frontline health and social care workers
- Those aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals
- Carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
- Pregnant women
This autumn, the following groups of people will be eligible for a flu vaccine:
- People aged 65 years and over
- People aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group
- Those in long-stay residential care homes
- Frontline health and social care workers
- Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
- Carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
- Pregnant women
- All children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2023
- Primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6)
- Secondary school-aged children (Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11)
Vaccinations for care home residents and frontline health and social care staff will start from Monday 11 September with all other eligible groups starting from Monday 18 September.
If you are eligible for both vaccines, you will probably be offered both at the same time. It is safe to have two vaccines at once and is recommended by vaccine experts to make it easier and more convenient for people to get vital protection from both viruses quickly.
Where can I have my vaccinations?
There will be a wide range of locations for people to have their flu vaccination and their COVID-19 booster vaccination this autumn.
Most GP practices will be working together in local areas to give vaccinations to those who are eligible. If your GP practice has contacted you offering a flu vaccination, a COVID-19 booster, or both, please take up the invitation as soon as you can. Vaccination teams are prioritising vaccinations for care home residents and their housebound patients to make sure these vulnerable patients are protected as soon as possible.
If you can’t attend your practice’s planned clinics, or wish to go somewhere else for your vaccinations, you can:
- Book a flu jab at a pharmacy – drop in to your local pharmacy or use the online booking service. Flu vaccinations are free for those eligible, and available at a small cost to everyone else
- Book a COVID-19 booster jab at a venue near you using the online booking service or by calling 119.
- A limited number of pharmacies are offering 'walk-in' COVID vaccinations without an appointment. Find your nearest walk-in pharmacy.
If there are no appointments to book near you, please check back later as new locations and appointment slots are being added all the time. We thank you for being patient while all our vaccination services start making appointments available.