Safe and effective vaccines
Vaccines are safe. They are the most effective defence against illness from many diseases. By getting the vaccines, you protect yourself, your baby, your children, and your friends, family and neighbours.
Over the last few years, vaccines have kept tens of thousands of people out of hospital and helped save lives.
On this page
- Childhood vaccines
- COVID-19 vaccines
- Flu vaccines
Childhood vaccines
For information about childhood vaccines, read below or visit the North East London Health and Care Partnership website.
The childhood vaccination programme delivers vaccines to babies and children from eight weeks to 14 years. See the leaflet below for information about the vaccines and the diseases they protect against.
Cases of whooping cough are on the rise in London. Though cases are relatively low in the City of London, the best thing you can do to protect your children and others is to make sure they get their 6-in-1 vaccine.
The vaccine offers protection against polio, hepatitis B, whooping cough (pertussis), diphtheria, HIB (haemophilus influenzae type B) and tetanus.
For COVID-19 and Flu, most children will get the vaccine as a nasal spray, not an injection. It is quick and painless.
Vaccinating your children will give them the best protection from Measles, Mumps and Rubella.
For information about the MMR vaccine in the City, visit the Family Information Service website.
If you are uncertain what vaccinations your baby/child has had, contact your GP who will have access to the records and can book appointments to catch up.
For more information, visit the NHS website.
The COVID-19, flu and whooping cough vaccines are all safe to take during pregnancy and are recommended by the NHS. Other vaccines may be safe to take too but this depends on the vaccination. Check with your GP if you would like information.
COVID-19 and Flu vaccines
Those eligible for both a flu and COVID-19 vaccine include:
- People with certain long term health conditions
- People aged 65 and over
- Pregnant women
Flu and COVID-19 spread more easily in winter when we spend more time together indoors and can cause serious illness.
If you are eligible, you may be offered both the COVID-19 and Flu vaccines in the same appointment.
COVID-19 vaccines
Seasonal booster campaign
The seasonal booster campaign for autumn is now being offered to:
- adults aged 65 years and over
- residents in a care home for older adults
- individuals aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group such as diabetes, heart disease, some neurological diseases, liver disease or a weakened immune system. Pregnant women are also part of the clinical risk group.
How to book
To book your COVID-19 autumn seasonal booster vaccination, first check that you are eligible and visit the NHS COVID-19 web page to make an appointment.
Flu vaccines
Most eligible adults will be able to get their flu vaccine from 3 October. This may be later than you’ve had the vaccine before, but it means you’ll have the best protection when flu is most widespread. Children and Pregnant women will continue to be able to get the flu vaccine from September.
From 3 October 2024:
- those aged 65 years and over
- those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups – such as diabetes, heart disease, some neurological conditions, liver disease or a weakened immune system
- 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 immunocompromised individuals
- frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer-led occupational health scheme
How to book
To book your flu vaccination, first check that you are eligible for a free vaccination and visit the NHS Flu vaccination web page to make an appointment.
Alternatively, if you pay for your vaccination, you can check with your local pharmacy. Some employers offer flu vouchers or a reimbursement scheme. If using a flu voucher, check that the pharmacy accepts them first.