The run up to the 2026/27 flu season has been anything but routine. What should have been a predictable annual cycle of ordering, scheduling, and delivering vaccinations has instead become a lesson in supply chain fragility, shifting delivery models, and the growing tension between national ambition and local operational reality.

January is rarely a quiet month in primary care, but January 2026 has felt particularly intense for many. Between winter viruses, new national programmes, and ongoing workforce pressures, healthcare staff have been juggling high demand with limited capacity. This month’s NHS updates give a good sense of the wider picture — and importantly, what it might mean at practice level.

Some NHS announcements are well documented—but others seem to slip quietly under the radar. And when they do surface, it’s often too late for any meaningful discussion. 

Juggling so many things these days can sometimes mean tasks become a chore even though they are necessary- like your practice cover. We know that life is still difficult right now with so many demands on your time. That’s why our insurance partners, MIAB want to make the process as hassle-free and painless as possible.