Flu season is here again

As we enter autumn, it’s that time of year where you’re likely to be invited to book your flu vaccine. All adults and children with multiple sclerosis (MS) can have the flu jab for free. Here we explain why the vaccine is important for people with MS, all the groups that are eligible and how you can book yours.

All adults and children with MS can have the flu jab for free.

Flu (influenza) can be a serious or even fatal illness, and each year causes thousands of people to become very ill. It’s much worse than a common cold and includes symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, aches and pains in the joints and muscles, and extreme tiredness. Like Covid-19, flu is a viral infection that can be passed on through coughs and sneezes.

If you have MS, you’re more at risk of becoming seriously ill from flu, even if you currently feel well. By having the flu vaccine, you:

• reduce your risk of having flu
• are likely to have a milder illness if you do catch flu.

It’s best to have your flu vaccine early, so that you’re protected before any outbreaks of flu. You need a new jab each year, as the strains of flu that are circulating change over time.

You may be offered your flu jab at the same time as a Covid-19 vaccine booster dose. Research has shown that this is safe, and that both the flu vaccine and the Covid-19 vaccine remain effective when given together.

From 1 September 2025, the free vaccination is being offered to:

• pregnant women
• children aged two or three
• primary and secondary school aged children
• all children aged six months to less than 18 years with a long-term health condition that puts them more at risk – this includes MS

From 1 October 2025, it’s being offered to:

• people aged 65 years and over
• people aged 18 years to under 65 years with a long-term health condition that puts them more at risk – this includes MS
• those in long-stay residential care homes
• carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
• close contacts of those with a weakened immune system.

All frontline health and social care workers should be offered the flu jab through their employer.

Frontline social care workers who do not have access to an employer-led occupational health scheme can access the vaccine through the NHS free of charge.

You may be invited by the NHS, but you do not need to wait for an invite.

You can book your flu vaccination on the NHS App, through the NHS website, directly with your GP surgery, or by finding a pharmacy that offers free flu vaccines (18+ only).

In Scotland you can use the online vaccination booking portal to book an appointment.

Find out how to get your flu vaccine if you live in Wales.

Find out how to get your flu vaccine if you live in Northern Ireland.

Almost everyone can have the vaccine. However, you should not be vaccinated if you have ever had a serious allergy to the vaccine or any of its ingredients. Some formulations of the flu vaccine contain traces of egg.

If you have a fever, you should wait until you feel better before having your flu jab.

Children are normally given a live vaccine in the form of a nasal spray. Children who are immunocompromised, have asthma, severe allergies to egg or the vaccine ingredients, or are currently wheezy may be offered an alternative injected vaccine.

Children who have had the nasal spray flu vaccine should avoid immunocompromised people for at least two weeks after they have the vaccine. If there is an immunocompromised person in their household then any children in the household should have an inactivated injected flu vaccine instead. The NHS information on children and the flu vaccine lists the vaccine ingredients and potential side effects of both injected and nasal flu vaccines.

If you have other questions or concerns about the flu jab and MS, you can read more details in our A-Z page on the flu jab. This page has information about the safety and effectiveness of the flu vaccine for people with MS, and details about the possible side effects you might notice.

Alternatively, you can contact our MS helpline on 0800 032 3839 or ask@mstrust.org.uk (Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm).

• Flu vaccine – information from the NHS on the flu jab, including who’s eligible and how to book
• Flu vaccination: who should have it this year and why (2025 to 26) – UK government guidance
• Flu vaccination: easy-read flu vaccination resources – Plain English and Easy-read guides about the flu vaccine from the UK government
• Flu vaccination (Scotland) – information from NHS Inform Scotland
• Flu vaccination (Wales) – information from Public Health Wales
• Flu vaccine (Northern Ireland) – information from NI Direct
• National flu immunisation programme plan 2025 to 2026 – UK government guidance on NHS England flu vaccination programme