As flu season approaches, we would like to remind you of the importance of winter vaccinations. At HHCC, we aim to make it as simple as possible for you and your family to stay well and protected.
Why vaccination matters
- Flu: Usually unpleasant but can sometimes be severe or life threatening, especially for older adults and people with health conditions.
- Pneumonia: A serious lung infection that can also lead to complications such as sepsis which is blood poisoning.
- Covid 19, RSV and Shingles: Other winter illnesses that can cause significant illness but can be prevented or reduced with vaccination.
Vaccination remains the most effective way to reduce your risk of infection or, if you do catch it, to lessen the severity of illness.
Flu vaccination 2026 to 2027
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has confirmed that the influenza B/Yamagata strain is still not circulating. B/Yamagata has not been detected as naturally circulating since 2020 and is therefore no longer considered necessary to include in flu vaccines.
As a result, flu vaccines for the 2026–27 season will continue to protect against three strains of influenza rather than four. These are the three strains currently expected to circulate: two influenza A strains and one influenza B strain. The change from a quadrivalent to a trivalent vaccine does not mean the vaccine offers less protection but reflects the strains that are currently circulating and expected to pose a risk during the flu season.
At HHCC, we believe everyone can benefit from flu vaccination and will be offering vaccination to all adults and children from 6 months of age. We have secured supplies of vaccines to cover all age groups.
For the 2026–27 season, we will be providing:
Children aged 6 months to 18 years – Cell-based flu vaccine
Adults aged 18 to 64 years – Cell-based flu vaccine
Adults aged 50 to 64 years – Cell-based or adjuvanted flu vaccine
Adults aged 65 years and over – Adjuvanted or cell-based flu vaccine
The adjuvanted flu vaccine contains an additional ingredient that helps stimulate the immune system. This can make it particularly beneficial for older adults, whose immune response to vaccination may be weaker.
Flu vaccination for children
Children are routinely offered the nasal spray flu vaccine (LAIV) free on the NHS from the age of 2 years. Unfortunately, we are unable to source the nasal spray vaccine. However, we can offer a suitable injectable flu vaccine to children from 6 months of age who are not eligible for, or cannot receive, the nasal spray.
NHS flu vaccination programme
The NHS continues to offer flu vaccination free of charge to those aged 65 years and over, children, pregnant women and people with certain long-term health conditions.
As in previous flu seasons, healthy adults aged 50 to 64 years are not included in the NHS flu vaccination programme. At HHCC, flu vaccination is available privately for this age group and for anyone who wishes to be protected against flu.
When will flu vaccinations be available?
The JCVI has recommended a staggered start to the flu vaccination programme, which applies to both NHS and private providers. This approach is designed to ensure that vaccination provides the best possible protection during the months when flu is most likely to circulate.
Protection from the flu vaccine gradually decreases over time. For most adults, having the vaccination closer to the usual winter flu peak means that protection is likely to be stronger during the months when flu activity is highest. For this reason, most adults are advised to wait until 1 October 2026 before having their flu vaccination.
We will therefore be offering our flu vaccination programme in line with this advice:
Children and pregnant patients from late September 2026
All other individuals from 1 October 2026
We will be pleased to help you choose the most appropriate flu vaccine for your age and circumstances.
New pneumonia (PCV20) vaccine
We are pleased to offer the new PCV20 pneumonia vaccine, which protects against 20 strains of the pneumococcal bacteria that can cause pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis. It replaces the older PPV23 vaccine and provides broader and longer lasting protection, given as a single injection.
On the NHS, PCV20 has now replaced the older vaccine and is mainly for people aged 65 years and over or those in high-risk groups. It is still not being offered on the NHS to people who have already had a previous pneumonia vaccine through an NHS provider.
At HHCC, PCV20 is available now for anyone aged 2 years and over, including those who had PPV23 more than one year ago and wish to ensure their protection is as strong as possible.
Covid-19 booster
We continue to offer COVID-19 vaccination to our patients aged 12 years and over. This season, we will be offering Comirnaty XFG, the most up to date COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 vaccination can be given safely at the same time as the flu vaccine, so you do not need to have these vaccinations separately.
You should be well on the day of vaccination and there should normally be a minimum interval of 3 months since your previous COVID-19 vaccine.
The NHS autumn 2026 COVID-19 vaccination programme is being offered to people at increased risk of serious illness from COVID-19, including adults aged 75 years and over, residents of care homes for older adults, and people aged 6 months and over. However, at HHCC we can provide COVID-19 vaccination privately to all patients aged 12 years and over, including those who are not eligible for the NHS programme.
RSV vaccination
RSV or respiratory syncytial virus is a common winter virus that often feels like a heavy cold. For some people, especially older adults or those with weakened immune systems, it can progress to pneumonia or bronchiolitis. The vaccine is given as a single injection and offers long term protection, but it should not be given on the same day as flu vaccine. We recommend leaving at least 7 days between them.
RSV vaccination has only recently been introduced on the NHS and is being rolled out to some older adults. At HHCC we are offering RSV vaccination now to all adults aged 60 years and over.
Shingles vaccination
Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus and can result in a painful rash. Some people experience long term nerve pain afterwards, known as post herpetic neuralgia. We use the Shingrix vaccine which is more than 90 percent effective and given as a course of two doses at least 8 weeks apart.
On the NHS, shingles vaccination is only available to certain age groups, mainly those aged 65 years and those between 70 and 80 years. It is not offered again to people who have already had a previous shingles vaccine. At HHCC we recommend Shingrix from age 50 years, and it is available now to anyone who wishes to be protected, including those who have had a previous shingles vaccine.
Booking your vaccines
- Covid 19, pneumonia, shingles and RSV vaccines are available to book now
- Flu vaccines will be available from the beginning of October.
Or call us on 0208 861 1221 if you would like to speak to the team.
Stay safe and well this winter
The HHCC Team