Annual flu letter for 2026/27 published
The Department of Health and Social Care, the UK Health Security Agency and NHS England have jointly published the national flu vaccination programme letter today (26th February 2026) for the 2026/27 season.
Eligible cohorts
There are no changes to the eligible cohorts for the 2026/27 season.
Timing
As in the 2025/26 season, from 1st September 2026, pharmacies will be able to vaccinate pregnant women.
From 1st October 2026, vaccination of the other adult cohorts will commence.
A decision on whether pharmacies will be re-commissioned to vaccinate 2- to 3-year-olds will be made in due course following the evaluation of the 2025/2026 service.
The letter advises that most vaccinations should be completed by the end of November 2026, although, vaccinations can be given up until 31st March 2027 to eligible patient groups.
Reimbursed vaccines
Every year, JCVI reviews the latest evidence on flu vaccines. For the 2026 to 2027 season, all preferred vaccines available are trivalent.
There have been two changes to the JCVI advice for adult flu vaccines for 2026 to 2027.
- In those aged 65 years and older, IIVc (cell-cultured) should be considered equivalent to allV (adjuvanted), llV-HD (high-dose) and IIVr (recombinant); and
- In those aged 50 years to 59 years in clinical risk groups, IIV-HD can be used off-label.
The preferred adult flu vaccines that will be reimbursed are listed below:
| Aged 18 to 49 years in clinical risk group (including pregnant women) | Aged 50 to 64 years (in a clinical risk group) | Aged 65 years and over |
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All vaccines are listed alphabetically. Order any of these vaccines:
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All vaccines are listed alphabetically. Order any of these vaccines:
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All vaccines are listed alphabetically. Order any of these vaccines:
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The egg-cultured influenza vaccine (IIVe) should only be offered to those aged 18 years to less than 65 years as part of the national programme in circumstances where the preferred flu vaccines listed above are not available to order. Once the vaccination campaign has started, if additional stock for those aged under 65 years of age is needed, IIVe should only be ordered if the above JCVI preferred vaccines are not available.
The letter provides a reminder that contractual requirements for all commissioned NHS flu vaccination providers state that to receive payment for flu vaccination and reimbursement of flu vaccine, they will need to use the specific flu vaccines outlined above for the appropriate cohort and administer vaccines in line with the announced and authorised cohorts. Commissioners will actively recover any payments made for the incorrect vaccine administered.
Commenting on the publication of the letter, David Onuoha, Service Development Manager, Community Pharmacy England said:
“The early publication of the annual flu letter for a second consecutive year is welcomed to allow pharmacy owners to finalise their vaccine orders for the 2026/27 flu vaccination season.
“Pharmacy owners are encouraged to read the letter and make sure they consider the changes to the reimbursed vaccines.
“As part of their forward planning and vaccine procurement, pharmacy owners are also encouraged to consider placing orders with more than one manufacturer to ensure receipt of sufficient stock and to minimise any unforeseen supply issues.”
Read the annual flu vaccination programme letter for the 2026/27 season
