Social care staff across England, including those serving the Bognor Regis area, are being urged to prepare for an unusually early flu season. Updated national guidance for the 2026/27 vaccination programme was released on 18 September 2026, detailing who is eligible for free immunisation as the winter health campaign begins.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported that the current flu season has arrived nearly five weeks earlier than in 2025. In response, NHS Sussex is actively promoting the vaccination campaign to ensure the local care workforce and vulnerable residents are protected ahead of the winter peak.
Eligibility and Start Dates
While employers are primarily responsible for providing flu vaccines to staff working with clinically vulnerable individuals, the NHS provides a safety net for those without access to employer-led occupational health schemes. From 1 October 2026, frontline social care workers can access a free NHS flu vaccination if they fall into specific categories.
Those eligible for the free NHS jab include staff working in:
- Registered residential care and nursing homes.
- Domiciliary care providers.
- Voluntary managed hospices.
- Personal assistants employed through direct payments or personal health budgets.
The guidance applies to staff who are in regular, direct contact with clients or patients, ensuring that both the workers and those they care for are shielded from the virus.
How to Book
NHS Sussex has confirmed that appointments for the 2026/27 flu and COVID-19 vaccination programme are now open for booking. Social care workers who do not have an employer scheme can arrange their vaccination through the NHS website, the NHS App, or by contacting a participating local pharmacy.
Health officials have stressed the importance of early uptake this year due to the accelerated start of the season. Local information on staying healthy and accessing vaccines in the region can be found via West Sussex Wellbeing, which provides resources for residents and health workers in Bognor and the surrounding districts.
Eligible staff attending an appointment at a pharmacy or GP surgery may be asked to provide proof of their employment, such as a staff ID badge, a payslip, or a letter from their employer, to confirm their frontline status for the free service.