“NHS Triumph: Flu Vaccination Rates Surge in England Compared to Last Year!”

NHS personnel have intensified the influenza vaccination initiative by administering nearly a quarter of a million additional doses this winter compared to the previous winter.

Healthcare services nationwide have encountered significant strains from one of the most severe winters recorded, with 5,408 patients hospitalized daily with influenza during the initial week of January.

NHS personnel have provided 239,679 more vaccinations thus far this winter compared to the same timeframe last year. This is despite commencing the complete programme rollout in October, a month later than the previous year, to offer individuals the optimal chance of protection based on guidelines from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

The most recent statistics indicate a total of 17,996,305 flu vaccinations were administered by NHS personnel from September 1, 2024, to January 5, 2025, in contrast to 17,756,626 from August 1, 2023, to January 7, 2024.

In the last few weeks, flu vaccinations have increased by more than a quarter (27%) compared to the previous year, with an additional 85,000 doses administered in the past three weeks. [figures up to January 5, 2025].

Cases of Covid, RSV, and norovirus also remain elevated, with over 1,100 patients in hospitals with Covid during the first week of January, alongside 626 patients with norovirus, reflecting an increase of nearly 50% from the same week last year (424). There was an average of 72 children hospitalized with RSV each day, up 47% from last year (49).

Although the national vaccination booking system has recently closed, individuals who qualify can still seek protection from influenza, Covid-19, or RSV by visiting a COVID-19 walk-in vaccination site, or finding a pharmacy providing the flu vaccine.

England’s leading physician cautioned that amid a surge of flu cases, the public can assist by getting vaccinated and continuing to utilize services as they typically do.

In preparation for winter, the NHS institued measures to handle increased demand, such as enhanced 24-hour coordination centers, support for frequent A&E users, bolstering same-day emergency care, and delivering additional care within the community. 

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS National Medical Director, stated: “As hospitals contend with a torrent of flu cases, NHS personnel have once more escalated the vaccination initiative this year, safeguarding nearly 18 million individuals against influenza this season – 239,000 more than last winter.

“The NHS is facing one of the most hectic beginnings to the year, with hospitals at full capacity coping with flu cases as well as addressing the recent cold spell.

“The most effective strategy to combat influenza is to obtain a vaccination, and I strongly encourage eligible individuals to reach out to their GP or local pharmacy to receive a flu jab as soon as achievable.

“People should continue to only engage 999 and A&E in life-threatening situations and utilize NHS 111 and 111 online for other health issues, as well as consulting their GP and pharmacy as usual.” 

Minister for Public Health and Prevention Andrew Gwynne remarked: “Influenza is a significant ailment that has exerted considerable pressure on the NHS this winter.

“Hospitals remain extraordinarily busy, and the most effective means of protecting oneself is through vaccination, which also aids in relieving pressure on the NHS.

“My thanks to all the remarkable healthcare professionals who have gone above and beyond to vaccinate 18 million individuals against influenza.”

In accordance with guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, those currently eligible for a flu vaccination this year include:

• expecting mothers
• all children aged 2 or 3 years on August 31, 2024
• primary school-aged children (from reception to year 6)
• secondary school-aged children (from year 7 to year 11)
• all children in clinical risk categories aged from 6 months to less than 18 years
• individuals aged 65 and over
• individuals aged 18 to under 65 in clinical risk categories (as defined by the Green Book)
• individuals in long-term residential care homes
• carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the primary caregivers of an elderly or disabled person
• close associates of immunocompromised individuals.
• frontline workers in a social care environment without an employer-led occupational health scheme, including those employed in a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary hospice providers, and individuals receiving direct payments (personal budgets) or personal health budgets, such as personal assistants