The national flu immunisation programme 2026-2027 letter was published on the 26 February 2026. NHS England published an amendment to the letter on the 9 June 2026. A summary of the changes are as follows:
Community pharmacy will be able to offer children flu vaccinations during the 2026 to 2027 season (2-3 year olds, children in clinical risk groups and for school aged children who missed the opportunity to be vaccinated by SAIS providers).
Those aged 16 and over who are experiencing homelessness will be eligible for the flu vaccine from the 1st of October 2026 and have been added to the clinical at risk groups
Patient Group Direction (PGD) and Vaccine Group Direction (VGD) for Influenza vaccine for 26/27
UKHSA has published a PGD and VGD template for administering inactivated influenza vaccine or live attenuated influenza vaccine in line with the national seasonal flu vaccination programme for the 26/27 season, valid from 1st September 2026 to 31st March 2027.
VGDs, introduced in April 2026, represent a permanent legal framework designed to introduce flexibility in using a wider group of healthcare staff in delivering national vaccine campaigns, currently Covid-19 and influenza. VGDs permit the delegation of certain tasks, specifically the preparation and administration of vaccines, to appropriately trained and supervised staff without the need for a prescriber’s direct involvement. However, registered healthcare practitioners retain responsibility for clinical assessment and obtaining informed consent. Providers are recommended to use the Influenza Vaccine Group Direction (VGD) to delegate administration of LAIV to unregistered staff, such as healthcare support workers as the supply only element has been removed from the LAIV PGD.
Influenza vaccines for the 2026/27 season
Information on all influenza vaccines that will be marketed in the UK for the 2026/27 season is available here.
Timing of the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) availability for 2026/27
For 2026/27, it has been agreed that UKHSA will share anticipated dates for LAIV availability for general practice and the school age immunisation service earlier than usual, set out below. Please note that these dates remain subject to change, and planning for vaccination sessions should continue to take account of this. The latest and most accurate information will be provided via the ImmForm news page, so please check there regularly.
Anticipated LAIV availability 2026/27
- Order opening: week commencing 31 August
- First deliveries: week commencing 7 September
This information is accurate as of 12 June 2026 and may change.