Flu: it’s time for jabs, which are recommended for children from 6 months and those aged 60 and over. Here’s where to get them and when they become available

The 2026–2027 vaccination campaign is now under way. Some regions are already getting underway at the moment, whilst others will do so from mid-October. The vaccination is recommended and offered free of charge to a large section of the population: everyone aged 60 and over, pregnant women and those who have recently given birth, children aged between 6 months and 6 years, those with medical conditions that put them at greater risk of complications and their carers, and those admitted to long-term care facilities. Vaccines are also recommended and offered free of charge to key public service workers (such as healthcare staff, police officers and firefighters), to those carrying out community service who are particularly at risk, and to other groups such as blood donors. However, in several regions, the free vaccination programme will be extended to the entire population in a second phase. Nine vaccines have been approved by the Italian Medicines Agency for use this year. Vaccinations can be administered by GPs and paediatricians, as well as at vaccination centres and in pharmacies; open days will also be organised in various regions.

In Lombardy, the vaccination campaign begins on Thursday 1 October: in the first phase, free vaccination will be available to priority groups and those most at risk: pregnant women, children and young people aged between 6 months and 17 years, people over 60, vulnerable individuals due to health conditions, and workers for whom vaccination is recommended. From 12 October 2026, flu vaccination in Lombardy will be open to everyone. From 12 October 2026, flu vaccination will be available free of charge to the entire population, and pharmacies will also be involved in the campaign, for adults and young people aged 12 and over, whilst vaccination centres will be available from 12 October for minors and from 26 October for the rest of the population. In Piedmont, paediatricians will begin administering the vaccine from 8 October, whilst the campaign run by GPs and participating pharmacies will start on 13 October. In Umbria, however, the campaign will begin on 5 October

In Liguria, the campaign began on 28 September with children aged two and over, who will be able to be vaccinated at paediatricians’ surgeries. From 5 October, vaccinations will begin in care homes, whilst from 12 October it will be the turn of adults aged 65 and over, high-risk groups and children aged six months and over. From 15 November, the vaccination will be free and open to the entire population, further expanding access. Among the new features of the 2026–2027 campaign is a free vaccination open day as part of the Genoa Boat Show, scheduled for Monday 5 October. Tuscany has announced that the campaign will begin on 7 October: it will start with residents of care homes, whilst from 14 October it will be the turn of children aged between 6 months and 6 years and those aged 60 and over, before being extended to all other groups from 11 November.

Vaccinations are scheduled to begin on 14 October in Friuli Venezia Giulia, although the region began vaccinating the youngest children against respiratory syncytial virus on 1 September. From 12 October, the campaign will also get under way in Sicily, where it will also be possible for adults to receive the vaccination against respiratory syncytial virus: the region is the first in Italia to include this in its vaccination schedule, and the vaccine will be available free of charge to everyone aged 75 and over, regardless of their health status, and to adults aged 60 and over with certain medical conditions.

All regions are, however, planning to start in the first half of October, in line with ministerial guidelines. .