Winter vaccinations available close to home this half term across Cheshire and Merseyside
Friday, 24 October 2025
NHS Cheshire and Merseyside are urging all eligible groups, especially children and young adults, to come forward for winter vaccinations as latest data suggests flu and COVID-19 is increasing early this year with hospitalisations starting to rise.
Current data indicates that flu cases amongst younger adults and school-age children are driving early flu cases alongside increased presentations to general practice and emergency departments.
Over one million vaccines have been delivered in the North West since the autumn/winter campaign kicked off – including over 100,000 school-aged children and more than 30,000 eligible toddlers to provide them with vital protection and minimise the spread to older adults and the wider population.
Since the start of the programme on 1 October, vaccination rates have been lower than expected and health bosses from across the region are encouraging eligible people to come forward and get this important protection sooner rather than later.
With half term coming up and people expected to socialise more, the NHS is also urging parents and carers to ensure they have signed and returned their child’s vaccine consent forms to their school, or to find their nearest catch-up community clinic this half-term if they have missed their school session, in a bid to prevent the virus spreading.
Across Cheshire and Merseyside there are a wide range of options available for people to access vaccinations, with some GP practices running drop-in clinics and local teams hosting sessions close to home.
The Living Well Bus will be visiting an Odeon cinema in Warrington, community and leisure centres in Liverpool, and various supermarket settings across the region.
There are even ‘flu fairies’ at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital who are working to protect the most vulnerable children providing vaccinations and reassurance to young patients. The team have flown in and given over 330 vaccines to children who are currently in hospital.
Parents of two and three-year-olds can also book online and for the first time ever drop-in to their local pharmacy to get their toddler vaccinated.
Dr Fiona Lemmens, GP and Associate Medical Director, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, said:
“We understand how busy family life can be, which is why we’re making it easier than ever for children to get vaccinated. I’d encourage all parents to explore their child’s flu vaccination options today and take advantage of the clinics that are running across Cheshire and Merseyside this half term.
“Flu can spread rapidly in schools and can make children really unwell so having the flu vaccine is the best way to protect your child from getting seriously ill this winter.”
For further information visit: www.cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk/wintervaccines