We are writing to all practices to highlight the arrangements for delivering seasonal Influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations during 2026/27.
The arrangements have been subject to negotiation with GPC England and a number of changes compared with previous programmes have been agreed.
The Enhanced Service specification is available at: NHS England » 2026/27 COVID-19 and adult influenza vaccination service specification now published for general practice
Colleagues should also note there is a Spring 2026 COVID-19 vaccination programme, with the JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) advice on eligibility for this programme having been accepted by the Government.
Practices can either sign up to deliver the adult immunisation programme alone or can undertake both the Covid 19 and adult flu immunisation programmes. NHS England have combined and aligned the immunisation requirements and agreed that from April 2026 COVID-19 immunisations can be delivered by individual practices. There are a number of dates for practices to be aware of over the forthcoming year:
- The Spring 2026 COVID-19 immunisation programme runs from 13 April to 30 June 2026; practices will need to sign up to this programme by 2 February 2026 and can register on CQRS from 5 January 2026. This ensures practices will receive appropriate supplies of the vaccine in time for the April start.
- Practices that wish to deliver the flu immunisation programme ONLY should sign up by 31 July 2026. The CQRS sign up date for the flu programme will be announced later this year.
- The children’s enhanced service specification for influenza will be published shortly and is not yet available.
Vaccination arrangements
Practices can deliver COVID-19 vaccinations on a practice basis from April 2026 and will no longer be required to form a collaborative grouping, although it is still possible to combine services if mutually agreed, or, with ICB approval, sub-contract delivery. Practices are also now able to use the GPIT to record COVID-19 vaccinations and will not be required to use point-of-care systems to claim for payments.
The previous arrangements related to surge, pausing of services, and designation of sites have been written out of the COVID-19 specifications to align it with flu.
Payment
The previous payment of a £10 supplement for the administration of the vaccine to housebound patients has been abolished, but the IoS vaccination fee has been increased to £8.70 when the COVID campaign is concurrent with the flu programme, and £10.06 outside the flu programme.
NHS England have also announced that the IoS fee for adult influenza vaccination during the 2026/27 season will be £10.06.
The supplemental fee for housebound patients has been withdrawn.
Colleagues should note these fees and the announcement of a 2026/27 IoS for flu vaccination have not been agreed with GPC England, and GPC England do not regard either the £8.70 COVID vaccination fee, £10.06 COVID-19 (outside flu season) and flu vaccination fees are economically viable for practices. The GPC England does not support the withdrawal of the £10 supplemental fee for housebound patients.
Practices will be aware that GPC England took the same approach in terms of IoS immunisation fees in the 2025/26 GP Contract negotiations and were not able to secure an increase.
If practices decide not to participate in the adult flu programme, or the combined COVID-19/flu programme, and the fee level represents one reason for this, it is very helpful to ensure the ICB is aware of this explanation.
Eligibility
Practices can offer both COVID and flu vaccinations (if signed up to both services) or flu vaccinations to all eligible patients on their registered list. Both housebound and care home residents should be offered vaccinations. There are also a limited number of exceptions allowing vaccinations to non-registered patients within the specification.
There are also arrangements in place to allow practices to coordinate vaccination of care home residents within each PCN given the care home allocation arrangements amongst PCN member practices.
Detailed COVID-19 eligibility arrangements for the April to June 2026 programme have already been announced, and are available at:
JCVI statement on COVID-19 vaccination in 2025 and spring 2026 – GOV.UK
The eligibility arrangements for the 2026/27 Autumn/Winter COVID-19 and adult influenza vaccination campaigns will be confirmed later this year.
We hope this background is helpful colleagues should review the Enhanced Service specification carefully before any sign up, noting the comments above, and since the sign up for the flu only vaccination service is not until July can also await the outcome for the 2026/27 GP Contract negotiations before making a decision if they decide not to participate in the COVID-19 programme.