The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is calling on the public to come forward for flu vaccinations. Figures out today show that many eligible people are still yet to get the vaccine. With just 27 days until Christmas, time is running out to get the vaccine ahead of the festive season.
Today, UKHSA published data on the school immunisation programme for September to October 2024. It shows that almost 2 million school children in England have boosted their protection against flu by taking up the vaccine. Most children are given a nasal spray vaccine.
Many more children will have been vaccinated throughout November. Immunisation teams move from school to school between September to December for all children from reception to year 11. Some schools will still have sessions scheduled in the coming weeks and it’s important parents return their consent forms in time.
These latest figures show that more school-aged children than ever before had been vaccinated during September and October (25% of school children were vaccinated by the end of October, compared to 21% for the same period in 2023). But many children could still be missing out.
If your child has missed out on getting their flu vaccine at school, there will be further opportunities at local NHS community clinics. The school or local school immunisation team should be able to provide further details.
For children in a clinical risk group who have missed out, it is possible to make an appointment for the vaccine at your GP surgery. Younger children, aged 2 years (before 1 September this year) and all 3 year olds, are also able to receive a flu vaccine from their GP surgery.
When children take up the vaccination, it not only helps protect them. It also, importantly, helps to stop them spreading flu to others at greater risk, such as their grandparents or baby brothers and sisters.
The latest weekly flu surveillance report shows flu numbers have increased in the past week. The rates are highest among children aged 5 to 14 years.
Pregnant women are also eligible for a flu vaccine, to protect them and their baby during pregnancy. Expectant mums make an immune response to the vaccine and pass on antibodies to their baby in the womb – protecting their newborn from birth for the first few months of their life. Latest figures show uptake among pregnant women is low (31% as of 24 November). We strongly urge more pregnant women to take up the offer.
Flu vaccine uptake among older people aged 65 and over is always much higher than for other groups (70% as of 24 November). However, there is real concern that many of those at greatest risk of serious illness and hospitalisation, people with long term health conditions and/or who are immunosuppressed, have not taken up the offer of a free vaccine. Just 35% of this group have been vaccinated.
Dr Suzanna McDonald, National Lead for the Influenza programme at UKHSA, said
No one wants to see anyone in their family get sick over the festive season, especially children. If you are eligible for a flu vaccine it is because you are at greater risk of getting seriously ill. All those over 65, adults and children over six months with certain health conditions and pregnant women should get protected every year. It takes around two weeks to get optimum protection once vaccinated, so book an appointment now. Flu usually increases at higher levels over December and already this week cases are rising sharply. Don’t let flu ruin your Christmas.
Dr Andrew Whittamore, Clinical Lead at Asthma + Lung UK, said
Winter can be frightening for people who struggle to breathe. Three in four people with lung conditions find that seasonal bugs, like colds and flu, make their breathing worse. The best way to boost your protection against all winter viruses is to have your winter vaccines if you are eligible, this includes the flu vaccine and COVID-19 boosters.
Winter bugs can be serious for people with lung conditions, like asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). These illnesses can increase the chance of you having an asthma attack, a flare-up of your lung condition or a chest infection.
If you have a lung condition, your risk of ending up in A&E doubles in winter. Too many people will end up ill and in hospital this winter and could even die from complications of these illnesses. Vaccinations save lives, by reducing the spread of infection and helping your body fight the illness, so you are less ill and less likely to need emergency treatment. Getting your vaccine may also help to protect others. It can prevent the spread of flu and COVID-19 to friends, family and anyone you come into contact with, including those at high risk from infection.
Latest figures show that up to the end of October, 24% of healthcare workers had received a flu vaccine.
