COVID-19 and flu vaccine information
This page was updated on 9 September 2025
This information is for anyone with axial spondyloarthritis (axial SpA) including people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS)
The autumn 2025 COVID-19 vaccine programme
The COVID-19 autumn programme will continue to focus on those at greatest risk of getting seriously ill, who will benefit the most from a further vaccine dose. This includes:
- residents in a care home for older adults
- all adults aged 75 years and over
- persons aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed, as defined in tables 3 and 4 of the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book.
The definition of those who are immunosupressed includes those with axial SpA who are taking:
- Biologic therapy (including anti TNF and anti Il-17A)
- High-dose corticosteroids (20mg or more of prednisolone per day) for more than a month
The COVID-19 programme will run from 1 October 2025 to 31 Jan 2026. However, the majority of COVID-19 vaccinations should be completed by 19 December 2025.
The autumn 2025 flu vaccine programme
The flu vaccine helps protect against flu, which can be a serious or life-threatening illness. It’s offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter to people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.
You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:
- are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2026)
- have certain long-term health conditions
- are pregnant
- live in a care home
- are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer’s allowance
- live with someone who has a weakened immune system
Frontline health and social care workers can also get a flu vaccine through their employer.
Specifically, if you have axial SpA and are taking biologic therapy or steroids then you would be viewed as potentially having a weakened immune system and would be eligible for the free flu vaccine. Sometimes, because these medications are prescibed by hospitals, GP surgeries may not realise you are eligible. Therefore you may need to highlight this to them. Do note that everyone on biologic therapy is recommended to have the annual flu vaccine.
National Booking Service (NBS)
The National Booking Service for COVID-19 and flu vaccinations has opened. You can book in your vaccinations from 1 October 2025. The last available appointment date for COVID-19 will be 31 January 2026 and you can book flu only appointments until 31 March 2026.