Understanding the flu eligibility window and how Abtrace can help.
Each year, patients only become eligible for their flu and COVID vaccinations at the start of the official eligibility window. This means:
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Before the window opens, no patients are technically eligible.
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Messaging patients too early could lead to confusion, as practices may not be able to provide the vaccine (or claim payment) outside the correct window.
This process helps ensure patients are invited at the right time.
How Abtrace Helps You Prepare in Advance
To support practices ahead of the 2025/26 flu season, Abtrace has created an early eligibility register to help you capture all patient cohorts eligible for flu vaccination starting in October.
These registers allow you to:
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Identify patients early and plan your outreach.
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Message patients in advance of the eligibility window opening.
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Use advanced filters to target specific groups if required.
What Happens Next?
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Once the eligibility window opens (October), the early register will automatically be retired.
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At that point, they will be replaced by the standard Abtrace flu rules, which you can use to continue inviting and managing patients throughout the vaccination season.
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Patients eligible for the flu vaccination will turn Opportunistic (Amber) from the day they become eligible (September or October) - then will switch to Overdue (Red) 3 months following this until the end of March.
How to get started?
You can set up recalls and send bulk messages for Flu and COVID using the Population Tab on PMT. For example, you can use the following filters and include/exclude whatever is suitable for your practice. In the filters, simply type 'flu' or 'covid' to see all relevant cohorts.
A. Flu – Cohorts Eligible for Vaccination in September
Indications:
- (Vaccination) Age 2–3 years at start of flu season
- (Vaccination) Pregnant
- (Vaccination) Age < 18 + In Clinical Risk Group
Tasks:
- Influenza Vaccine
- Choose Opportunistic and Overdue
Once you've added any other exclusion/limiting criteria, press +Add Recall and follow the steps to create a recall that will run throughout the flu season to invite patients who are eligible and have not yet completed their flu vaccination.
B. Flu – Early Invite for Cohorts Eligible for Vaccination in October
(This register will only be available until the end of September)
Indications:
- Early Eligibility Flu Register (No Task required)
This will display a list of patients who will be eligible for their flu vaccine in October. You can invite them early but cannot vaccinate them yet.
To bulk message:
- Tick the box at the top of the table next to the NHSNumber column to select all patients.
- Press Message to send their first flu recall invitation.
C. Flu – Cohorts Eligible for Vaccination in October
(Can be set up from the beginning of October)
Indications:
- (Vaccination) 18–64 yrs and Immunosuppressed
- (Vaccination) 18–64 yrs and LTC
- (Vaccination) Flu ≥ 65
- (Vaccination) Obese BMI ≥ 40
- (Vaccination) Healthcare Worker
- (Vaccination) Flu Specific Code
Tasks:
- Influenza Vaccine
- Choose Opportunistic and Overdue
Once you've added any other exclusion/limiting criteria, press +Add Recall and follow the steps to create a recall that will run throughout the flu season.
🔗 Check-out the exclusion codes accepted – these will automatically exclude patients from being eligible for this recall.
📌 You can also view a list of patients who have already had their first flu invite by using the register: Indications: Influenza Vaccination Invite Sent
D. COVID – Autumn 2025
Indications:
- (Vaccination) Covid – Immunosuppressed
- (Vaccination) Covid – Care Home
- (Vaccination) Covid – ≥ 75
Tasks:
- Covid Vaccine
- Choose Opportunistic and Overdue
Once you've added any other exclusion/limiting criteria, press +Add Recall and follow the steps to create a recall that will run throughout the COVID season.
🔗 Check-out the exclusion codes accepted
👉 In short: the early registers help you get organised and communicate in advance, while the official flu rules take over once the season officially begins.