Planning letter for the 2025/26 Flu Season

Written: 13 February 2025

 

Dear Colleagues

I enclose a copy of NHS Englands planning letter for the 2025/26 Flu Vaccination programme .

There are a number of points practices should note within this letter:-

1. The NHS eligibility criteria for vaccination are unchanged from 2024/25.

2. The timings of the vaccination programme remain the same, with the adult programme commencing early October 2025, final date to be announced. The child programme will commence on 1st September 2025. The exceptions to this are the maternal flu vaccination, and any clinically justifiable adult vaccination relating to a persons co-morbidity, which can also be given from 1st September next year.

GPC England has warned NHS England this compressed adult programme creates difficulties for practices and many adult patients still anticipate being able to be vaccinated from September.

The timing of eligibility apply to all providers delivering NHS funded vaccines, including Community Pharmacists.

3. Any Covid vaccination programme for Autumn 2025/Spring 2026 has yet to be announced; however, NHS England is likely to encourage co-administration with this programme.

4. Colleagues should note the recommended vaccines for all cohorts: Paras 15/16 for adults aged 18 to 65, Paras 17 - 19 for adults 65 years and over and Paras 25 – 28 for children.

5. There has been one change in vaccine recommendations compared with last year, in that the adjuvanted influenza vaccine (aTIV) is now licensed for adults from age 50 years and over.

6. Colleagues should also note the payment arrangements, both in terms of timings and also recommended vaccines. If the non-recommended vaccine is given, because of supply issues, practices should document the unavailability of the preferred vaccine in terms of then having to order and deliver a second-line/alternative vaccine.

7. Childrens vaccines will continue to be available via the UKHSA and ordered via ImmForm so are not reimbursable.

8. The detailed Covid and Flu Enhanced Service specifications will be published later in the year.

The LMC has received queries from practices in terms of the contractual position relating to participation in the flu (and also Covid) vaccination programmes; this is summarised in a generic letter available at:

The LMC has raised this issue with local commissioners and it is now included on the risk register in a number of ICBs.

Colleagues may also have seen that NHS England now plans to devolve some responsibilities to ICBs in terms of delivering all vaccination programmes and most screening programmes from 1st April 2026. Full details of these proposals are available at:

NHS England » Delegation proposals for vaccination and screening

Vaccination will continue to be a national service, as now, with elements included within Global Sum, QOF, and national Enhanced Services [Covid and seasonal Flu]. NHS England will also continue to set the national financial framework including payment terms and pricing. It will also continue to align with JCVI advice.

In terms of screening, the following services will be delegated to ICBs:

The bowel cancer screening hubs and associated administrative services will remain with NHS England.

NHS England is also retaining management of the Child Health Information System (CHIS) which has a varied structure across England, and there are plans to make this more consistent. The Government’s commitment “from analogue to digital” means the current parent-held, paper-based personal child health record [the ‘Red Book’] is also being reviewed.

It seems unlikely that ICBs, in the throes of further headcount reductions, will welcome what NHS England regards as a commissioning opportunity they have been ‘leaning into’ for some time.

The LMC cannot advise practices not to participate in vaccinations commissioned within the Core Contract and thus funded by Global Sum, but the two national Enhanced Services, Covid-19 and seasonal influenza are discretionary and need to be considered on their merits, particularly in terms of the IoS fee.

All the evidence demonstrates a practice-based vaccination programme remains the best option in terms of uptake, patient experience, and value for money: all points the LMC has made to ICB colleagues. There are no changes in these arrangements for 2025/26 financial year and in terms of timescales, this is also unlikely for 2026/27.

There will be further operational details to come; in the meantime, if colleagues have any questions about the arrangements please contact Sarah Parsons [sarah.parsons@sslmcs.co.uk ] and/or Julie Freeman [julie.freeman@sslmcs.co.uk] at the LMC Office.

The SSLMCs annual flu guide will be available later this year.

With best wishes

Dr Julius Parker, Chief Executive

 

see also:  Surrey & Sussex LMCs: Seasonal Flu Guide 2024/25

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Updated on Thursday 20 February 2025

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