From this week, vaccination teams across England are working to immunise millions of people most at risk of serious illness ahead of the colder months, when hospital admissions for respiratory infections typically surge.
Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) already shows early signs of rising flu activity, while COVID-19 cases have been increasing steadily for several weeks, with hospital admissions up by 60 per cent. The spike follows the emergence of the XFG variant in May, alongside a 50 per cent rise in rhinovirus, the cause of the common cold, a trend likely linked to the reopening of schools after the summer holidays.
With 2025 predicted to be the busiest winter on record for A&E and ambulance services, the NHS has stepped up its seasonal preparations. Health leaders have been stress-testing local winter plans through scenario exercises and empowering regional teams to tailor support for their most vulnerable patients.
For the first time, eligible individuals have been able to book winter vaccinations since 1 September, enabling earlier access to flu and COVID-19 jabs.
Across England, local teams are finding new ways to make vaccination more accessible from mobile vaccine buses and community drop-in sessions to high-street pharmacies now offering flu vaccines to two- and three-year-olds for the first time.
Who is eligible?
Flu jabs are available for:
- Everyone aged 65 and over
- Adults under 65 in clinical risk groups
- Care home residents and carers
- Close contacts of immunosuppressed people
- Frontline NHS and social care workers
- Children and pregnant women
COVID-19 vaccinations are available for:
- Adults aged 75 and over
- Older adult care home residents
- People who are immunosuppressed
From 1 October, both booked appointments and walk-in sessions are open at local GP practices, pharmacies and community clinics. Bookings can be made via the NHS App, through your GP, or online at nhs.uk/bookflu and nhs.uk/bookcovid, or by calling 119.
Dr Amanda Doyle, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services at NHS England, said:
“It’s concerning to see flu and COVID-19 cases already rising ahead of winter, but vaccinations remain our best defence and can be lifesaving.
Teams are working hard to make it easy to get your jab locally, whether at your GP, pharmacy or community clinic. For the first time, parents can also vaccinate their two- and three-year-olds at their high-street pharmacy making it simpler for busy families to protect their children.
Get vaccinated today to protect yourself and those around you, it could keep you out of hospital this winter.”
Last winter, the NHS delivered 18.5 million flu vaccinations and 9.8 million COVID-19 vaccinations, including more than 500,000 flu jabs for toddlers and 250,000 COVID-19 vaccines for care home residents.
Despite these efforts, flu and COVID-19 still accounted for over 450,000 hospital bed days last winter, a stark reminder, the NHS says, of why timely vaccination remains essential.
