NHS England's school immunisation teams continued rolling out children's flu vaccines across England on Sunday as the autumn term advanced, while most adult eligible groups remain scheduled for 1 October access on the National Booking Service under the 2026–27 programme letter.

Who is active now

Reception through Year 11 pupils are offered the nasal spray via schools or community clinics; two- and three-year-olds book through GP surgeries from 1 September. Pregnant women can vaccinate at any stage through maternity teams or pharmacies. JCVI advice keeps the adult programme start in October so protection peaks nearer December's usual flu surge.

Sunday rain complication

Heavy showers moving east may delay rural school clinics where nurses travel between sites. NHS regions asked coordinators to text parents if gym sessions shift indoors. Missing a slot still allows catch-up through GP practices until March.

October cohorts

From next week, people aged 65 and over, clinical risk groups, carers and frontline health staff can book pharmacies and GP hubs. COVID autumn boosters overlap for some immunosuppressed patients; booking systems separate the products but appointments may be co-located.

Household action

Parents should return school consent forms even if a child has mild cold symptoms—nurses defer rather than cancel outright. Adults should not wait for television campaigns; book when the calendar turns to October if you are in a risk group. Flu usually peaks after Christmas; September shots for children are meant to slow spread in classrooms before heaters go on.

School nurses cannot vaccinate without parental consent forms returned. Children with egg allergy histories need clinician review; most still receive spray formulations under protocol. Home-educated children book via GP lists.

Pharmacy capacity

From October, community pharmacies join adult rollout. Contractors negotiate fridge space with COVID stock still in some sites. NHS England asks regions to publish which pharmacies offer both jabs to reduce travel for elderly patients.

Uptake targets

Last season's childhood uptake beat prior years in several regions; planners want similar coverage before December classroom mixing. Missing school sessions triggers outreach calls—parents should update mobile numbers on school records.

UKHSA surveillance will flag when laboratory positivity crosses thresholds that trigger public campaigns; September school uptake is meant to delay that crossover until after half-term.

Workforce

School nurses report vacancy rates in coastal trusts; delayed clinics may slip into October rather than cancel outright. NHS England said locum pools can backfill Sunday sessions where storms disrupted travel.

GP surgeries in Manchester and Birmingham reported steady paediatric appointment uptake despite Sunday showers, suggesting parents are prioritising jabs before October half-term travel.

Pharmacy negotiators said Sunday staffing was adequate for pregnant-woman walk-ins even where school sessions paused for weather.