2026/27 SEASONAL FLU & COVID VACCINATIONS
Advance bookings are now open
Flu vaccines will become available later than usual this year due to changes affecting the manufacture and supply of the 2026/27 vaccines.
All 3 vaccine strains have changed for the new season and the withdrawal of one manufacturer has placed additional pressure on UK supplies.
Our vaccines will therefore arrive in stages:
- Premium Recombinant Trivalent vaccine: available in clinic from 21st September
- Premium Cell-Based Trivalent vaccine: available in clinic from 19th October
- Standard Trivalent vaccine: available in clinic from 23rd November
We will also offer the latest Covid vaccine, Pfizer’s Comirnaty XFG, from 21st September. Updated for the 2026/27 season, it targets the currently circulating XFG (“Stratus”) variant and its close relatives. It can be given at the same appointment as your flu vaccination as a separate injection, usually in the other arm. We advise having a booster dose if you wish to maintain your protection.
You can book in advance now. Please select an appointment date that corresponds with the availability of your chosen vaccine.
If you are unsure which option is right for you, please contact our team for advice.
What types of flu jabs do you offer?
This year, three types of flu vaccine are available
Three types of flu vaccine will be available for the 2026/27 season
Premium Recombinant Trivalent vaccine
This is our recommended premium option for adults. This egg-free vaccine is manufactured using recombinant technology and is designed to provide a precise match to the selected flu strains.
Premium Cell-Based Trivalent vaccine
Manufactured using cell cultures rather than traditional egg-based production, this vaccine avoids egg adaptation and may provide a closer match to circulating flu strains. It is also suitable for people with an egg allergy or those who prefer an egg-free vaccine.
Standard Trivalent vaccine
This is our most widely used flu vaccine. This egg-based option offers good general protection for healthy adults at a lower price point.
Should I get the flu jab every year?
Yes, this is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones each year.
The strains of flu in circulation change each year and so the previous year’s vaccine may protect against this year’s dominant strains. Immunity to flu is not long-lasting, so an annual flu jab is essential for maximum protection.
Our recommended vaccines are the premium recombinant trivalent, and cell-based trivalent, due to their superior protection. These vaccines provide enhanced immunity compared with the standard flu jab. The cell-based trivalent vaccine avoids egg adaptation, resulting in a better match to circulating flu strains, while the premium recombinant vaccine is manufactured using recombinant technology rather than traditional methods, this vaccine offers a precise match to circulating flu strains and may provide enhanced protection.
The standard trivalent vaccine offers good protection at a more affordable price point. Take a look at all our options and decide which flu jab best suits you. If you are unsure, book a standard trivalent vaccine and discuss options with the nurse when you attend your appointment. They may advise you upgrade to another vaccine, based on your health, medical history and/or your age.
When is the best time to get vaccinated?
It is best to be vaccinated before flu begins to circulate - so ideally between September and November rather than any later.
Flu jabs take 14-21 days to reach maximum effect, so the earlier you have your flu jab, the better protected you will be.
Vaccinations first become available during September. October and November are the busiest months for vaccination, and flu typically circulates in the UK between Christmas and Easter. However, it is never too late to be vaccinated.
Can you vaccinate babies & children?
Yes. Vaccinating babies & children protects them from flu, and also stops them from spreading the virus to others.
Children are sometimes thought of as “super spreaders” for flu. Luckily there are a few options to vaccinate babies and children.
Standard Trivalent – this is an egg-based injected vaccine. Suitable from 6 months onwards.
Cell-Based Trivalent – this vaccine is prepared in cell culture rather than eggs.. Also recommended for severe egg allergy or egg-free vaccine preference. Suitable from 6 months onwards. This is the preferred vaccine for children when the nasal spray vaccine is not available.
The nasal flu vaccine is not available privately, and available only through the NHS to eligible children.
I’m young and healthy, do I still need to get vaccinated?
Vaccination protects you, and those around you.
Even if you don’t belong to a risk group for flu complications, it can still cause a miserable illness, sometimes with serious complications. It can interfere with your work or leisure plans. If you become infected, you can easily pass it on to people you care about, who may be more vulnerable than you.
I've got flu, what can you do to help?
PCR testing to confirm the diagnosis, and antiviral treatment to combat symptoms
Contact us to find out more about PCR testing. Our GPs are able to prescribe antiviral medication to alleviate symptoms; it can also be used preventively by vulnerable household contacts.
Our Patients Speak for Us
Tara Goulet
The entire staff at Fleet Street were incredibly kind, empathic, and knowledgeable. I appreciated the professionalism and bedside manner, and highly recommend this clinic if you need fast, efficient service, are traveling, and don't have insurance.
Paul Vella
Excellent service, had a private Covid and Flu vaccination here arrived early and was called in by the nurse almost immediately, very pleasant surroundings and lovely stuff would use again worth £125 to get protected as not eligible for free vaccinations.
Barry Milton
Excellent and efficient service from reception to consultation. Arranged good contact with my local GP which has enabled me to complete my treatment early next week.
Austen Virr
Got my rabies jabs here - very professional, great interiors decor, would recommend.
Emily Lavis
Brilliant clinic, would 100% recommend. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable and the nurse's care couldn't have been better. They managed to fit me in for a same-day appointment and provide me with helpful advice for follow up. Thank you :)
Kevin McNally
I was very impressed. I was attended to very promptly and courteously. I was given good advice and advised on the cost before I went ahead.
Mark Tebbit
On repeated occasions over the last year, I have received A1 treatment from the Fleet Street Clinic. Short-notice appointments, face to face and on the phone, for emergency conditions and quick prescriptions from excellent doctors have helped me enormously. The Reception Team are also highly professional. I couldn't recommend it more strongly.
Lucy Slimmon
I’ve been so unwell and was feeling very anxious and to find somewhere where I could get answers quickly and treatment within twenty four hours has been incredible. Thank you so much to the whole team for all that you have done to help me this week, it has really meant a lot to me.
JJ Kim
We are tourist and my wife needs stitch removal service. My neighbor's son who majors in medical in London recommended this clinic. Very kind and the nurse has a very good skill. My wife didn't feel any pain and is very satisfied with her service. Based on my experience, I would like to strongly recommend this clinic if you need any services!!!
Somerton Elliott
For several years I have relied on the lovely Fleet Street Clinic to cover my travel vaccination needs - for example to Cambodia, Vietnam and South Korea. They have real expertise in recommending what is necessary and protecting against risk. Having unfortunately had a bad NHS experience with vaccination earlier this year, I had a second and final shingles dose at the clinic. The last time, I wasn’t able to sleep on my left hand side for 10 days. At Fleet Street Clinic, the wonderful nurse ensured I had a perfect result.
FAQS
It is best to be vaccinated before flu begins to circulate widely, typically between late December and April.
Flu vaccines take approximately 14 to 21 days to reach their maximum protective effect.
Vaccines are arriving later than usual for the 2026/27 season, with availability depending on the type selected:
Recombinant vaccine from 21st September
Cell-based vaccine from 19th October
Standard vaccine from 23rd November
Although autumn vaccination is ideal, it is never too late to be vaccinated. Flu can continue circulating throughout the winter and into spring.
Yes. Vaccinating babies and children helps protect them from flu and reduces the risk of them spreading it to others.
We offer two injectable flu vaccines for children aged six months and over:
- Premium Cell-Based Trivalent vaccine: available from 19th October 2026. This egg-free vaccine is our preferred option for children when the nasal spray vaccine is not available.
- Standard Trivalent vaccine: available from 23rd November 2026. This is a traditional egg-based vaccine.
The nasal flu vaccine is not available privately and is only available through the NHS to eligible children.
For the 2026/27 flu season, the strains are:
Standard Trivalent Flu Jab
- An A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus
- An A/Darwin/1454/2025 (H3N2)-like virus, which covers the H3N2 subclade K variant
- A B/Tokyo/EIS13-175/2025 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus
Cell-cultured or recombinant vaccines
- An A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus
- An A/Darwin/1415/2025 (H3N2)-like virus
- A B/Pennsylvania/14/2025 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus
Flu jabs are very safe for pregnant women.
If the mother has a flu vaccination in the second or third trimester, it confers protection to the newborn, making it not only safe and recommended for the month but also offers babies some protection against the virus.
This is important because flu vaccinations are only protective for babies from 6 months onwards.
Trivalent flu jabs including cell-based options are available now – Click to book your Flu Jab.
Continue reading our blog: Flu protection for expecting mothers.
Yes, as you’ve never had the flu until you’ve had flu.
Just because you have been fortunate to not have had the flu up until now doesn’t mean you will never get it. The vaccine won’t offer you 100% protection but if you do get sick, you’ll most likely have less severe symptoms. Not only that, but flu vaccinations offer protection to those you love, those you work with and those vulnerable in your wider community.
Click to book your Flu Jab or Call to Book
Yes. At Fleet St. Clinic, we offer cell and recombinant based vaccines for those with severe egg or chicken protein allergies.
It is a trivalent flu jab protecting against the same 3-strains as the standard trivalent flu jab.
You can book your cell-based or premium recombinant, egg-free flu jab online here.
Unfortunately the nasal spray vaccine is not available privately this year, and via the NHS only to children in eligible age groups.
We offer alternative options for parents with children and young adults under 18:
· Standard trivalent flu jab
· Cell-based trivalent flu jab (preferred)
Click to book your Flu Jab or Call to Book
If you’re currently feeling sick/ unwell, it is best to wait until you are feeling better before getting vaccinated.
Babies under 6-months can be vaccinated in some circumstances but we encourage mothers to get vaccinated whilst still pregnant so that some immunity can be passed on to the newborn during this time.
Those with complex health needs or allergies to any ingredients within the flu jab should first speak with one of our GPs to determine if they are suitable for the flu jab.
Click to book your Flu Jab or Call to Book
The flu vaccine is not a live vaccine meaning you cannot get the flu from a flu jab.
Most people have little to no side effects following vaccination. The most common side effect is a reaction at the injection site. This can be tenderness, redness and slight swelling. This usually clears up in a day or two and as the flu vaccine is generally given in a patient’s non-dominant arm, this doesn’t cause any issues.
Other side effects may include, headache, muscle aches, low-grade fever and/ or nausea. Again these are short-lived, experienced for no longer than 1-2 days.
Rest and paracetamol is usually advised. Serious side effects are extremely rare.
Click to book your Flu Jab or Call to Book
