Who should be vaccinated and which type of vaccine is recommended?
Influenza vaccination 2026 2027
Who should be vaccinated and which type of vaccine is recommended?
Key message
Influenza vaccination is mainly recommended for people at increased risk of severe influenza, for people who may transmit the virus to them, and for healthcare workers. For most people at risk under the age of 65, a standard-dose influenza vaccine is the first choice. From the age of 65, enhanced vaccines have a more important role.
Who should be vaccinated
everyone aged 65 years or older
people who are immunocompromised
people with at least one chronic lung, heart, liver, neurological or metabolic condition, and people with a BMI of 40 or higher
people with chronic kidney disease
pregnant women, regardless of trimester
residents of nursing homes and other residential care settings
healthcare workers
people who work professionally with pigs or poultry
household contacts of a person at risk or of a child younger than 6 months (cocoon vaccination)
Which vaccine
Standard-dose vaccines: the first choice for people at risk under the age of 65. They may also be used in healthy people aged 50 to 64, but this group is not prioritised if supplies are limited.
From the age of 65: the adjuvanted vaccine Fluad and the high-dose vaccine Efluelda are first-choice options.
Overview by age
75 years and older
Everyone: Fluad or Efluelda is a first-choice option.
65 to 74 years
Residents of a care facility or other residential setting: Fluad or Efluelda is a first-choice option.
Chronic kidney disease: Efluelda is the first choice.
All other people: Fluad or Efluelda is a first-choice option.
50 to 64 years
Immunocompromised or at least one chronic condition: a standard-dose vaccine is the first choice. Fluad may be considered but is not reimbursed.
Chronic kidney disease: a standard-dose vaccine is the first choice. Efluelda may be considered but is not reimbursed and is off-label below the age of 60.
Residential setting, healthcare worker, pig or poultry sector, or cocoon vaccination: a standard-dose vaccine is the first choice.
Healthy: a standard-dose vaccine may be used, without priority if supplies are limited.
18 to 49 years
Immunocompromised: a standard-dose vaccine is the first choice. Fluad may be considered but is not reimbursed and is off-label below the age of 50.
Chronic condition, kidney disease, residential setting, pregnancy, healthcare worker, pig or poultry sector, or cocoon vaccination: a standard-dose vaccine is the first choice.
Healthy: routine vaccination is not recommended.
6 months to 17 years
Immunocompromised, chronic condition or kidney disease, chronic use of acetylsalicylic acid, residential setting, or cocoon vaccination: a standard-dose vaccine is the first choice.
Healthy: routine vaccination is not recommended.
Important
The most suitable vaccine depends on your age, health and current availability. Discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist. A recommendation for a group does not replace individual medical advice.
Practical information
Would you like to know whether influenza vaccination is recommended for you? Contact HAP.GENT or discuss it during your consultation.
Source: Advisory Report 9897 of the Belgian Superior Health Council, Vaccination against seasonal influenza 2026-2027. https://www.hgr-css.be/en/