Seasonal Influzena (Flu) & COVID-19 Vaccination Campaigns for 2025/26
This year, eligibility for Seasonal Influenza (Flu) vaccination is largely unchanged from previous years.
Clinics are now available to book and the majority of flu (except for pregnant ladies and children) will not be given until after 1st October 2025, this is a government mandate.
Flu Clinics available:
| Date of Clinic | Clinic Details | Site |
| Saturday 27th Sept | Pregnant ladies | Overton & Kingsclere |
| Children | ||
| Saturday 4th October | Over 65 yrs | Overton & Kingsclere |
| Under 65yrs | Overton & Kingsclere | |
| Saturday 11th October | Over 65 yrs | Overton & Kingsclere |
| Under 65yrs | Overton & Kingsclere | |
| To be Confirmed: | ||
| Tuesday 14th October | Joint Over & Under 65 yrs | Oakley Surgery |
However, for COVID-19 the government has significantly restricted who is eligible. Only the following cohorts are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination this year.
- Age eligibility
- Anyone aged 75 or over on the date of vaccination.
- Anyone who will turn 75 by 31 March 2026 (i.e. born on or before 31 March 1951)
2. Medical eligibility
Only a narrower group of immunosuppressed patients are eligible:
- Patients undergoing chemotherapy or radical radiotherapy
- Solid organ or bone marrow/stem cell transplant recipients
- All stages of HIV infection
- Multiple myeloma, leukaemia, lymphoma, or other haematological malignancies
- Inherited immunodeficiencies (e.g. IRAK-4, NEMO, SCID, complement disorders)
- Biological therapies (e.g. anti-TNF, alemtuzumab, ofatumumab, rituximab)
- Immunomodulators (e.g. protein kinase inhibitors, PARP inhibitors, steroid-sparing agents such as cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate)
- Long-term immunosuppressants for autoimmune#
Joint COVID and Flu Clinic available – Limited Availability
| Date of Clinic | Clinic Details | Site |
| Saturday 4th October | Covid Booster Over 75yrs & Flu | Overton and Kingsclere |
| Saturday 11th October | Covid Booster Over 75yrs & Flu | Overton and Kingsclere |
| To be confirmed: | ||
| Tuesday 14th October | Covid Booster Over 75yrs & Flu | Oakley Surgery |
| Wednesday 15th October | Covid Booster Over 75yrs & Flu | Oakley Surgery |
If you only wish to be vaccinated for flu and not COVID, then you will be offered a time within the flu clinic.
Your invite
The practice will be sending a message to each eligible patient in the coming days which will include a self-book link to the above clinics. Please note: the link will only be valid for 7 days so please book as soon as this has been received. If you prefer, please call the practice on 0333 034 1033 (after 10am) if you wish to book the appointment direct.
Pharmacies
Nominated pharmacies have also been given the exact strict criteria and will offer this vaccination. An appointment will need to be booked.
Booking an appointment elsewhere
The link below provides you with further information and you can book, change or cancel a COVID vaccination appointment being provided in the community and not with Watership Down Health.