Record 35m people will be offered free flu jab to ease pressure on NHS

Vaccine drive comes amid warnings of a nightmare winter as immunity falls due to Covid restrictions

The largest flu vaccination programme in UK history is to be rolled out this year, ministers have said, with jabs offered to all school pupils aged under 17.

Last year free flu vaccines were expanded to all adults over 50 and children in the first year of secondary school but this year the plans are even bigger, with secondary school pupils up to Year 11 included in the programme.