Bristol groups face two policy changes on 1 September as flu jabs start and new child workforce DBS rules take effect

The UK Health Security Agency said its national influenza and COVID-19 report monitors COVID-19 activity, seasonal flu and other seasonal respiratory illnesses [1]. NHS England said the national booking system is open and eligible people, including pregnant women and children, can pre-book flu vaccinations ahead of vaccinations starting on 1 September [2].

3SG, the Bath & North East Somerset Third Sector Group, said that from 1 September 2026 the definition of regulated activity with children is changing, affecting organisations across all sectors that have paid staff or volunteers who teach, train, instruct, care for or supervise children [3]. It said the current supervision exemption is being removed, meaning some people who were not previously considered to be undertaking regulated activity may now be eligible for an Enhanced DBS check [3].

Because both the flu vaccination rollout and the DBS rule change begin on the same date, Bristol groups involved with child activities or seasonal flu programmes will need to account for both changes at once [2][3].