Covid & flu vaccine details announced

2 mins read

Thursday 7 August 2025

Tags: immunocompromised, immunisation, flu, flu vaccine, health, covid

Immunocompromised children aged six months and over in the UK will continue to be eligible for a Covid booster vaccine this autumn.

Children aged over six months with chronic health conditions like epilepsy, diabetes, asthma and heart in “clinical risk groups” will not be offered the vaccine unless they are also immunocompromised.

Who is eligible for a Covid booster?

The government has accepted the latest advice from the Joint Committee of Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI). This recommended the following groups receive the vaccine this autumn:

  • Immunosuppressed individuals aged six months and over.
  • Adults aged 75 years and over.
  • Residents in care homes for older adults.

Previously the Covid vaccine was offered to all people in clinical risks groups, which also included children with Down Syndrome and other health conditions. More information on the definition of immunosuppression is available at the bottom of tables 3 and 4 in Chapter 14a of the JCVI ‘s Green Book on Immunisations.

Annual flu programme starts this September

1 September also marks the start of the annual flu vaccination programme, starting with children and pregnant women. Carers and older adults will receive their vaccinations from October 2025 onwards.

You can find out more about flu vaccines for disabled children on our flu vaccine webpage.