NHS England announced on 9 December 2024 that the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine is being offered for the first time ever to pregnant women from 28 weeks and to older adults aged 75 to 79 in England1. The announcement came as the NHS urged people to come forward for flu vaccination without delay so they and their families are protected in time for Christmas1.
The NHS said UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data shows flu cases are highest among those aged 5 to 14, and that flu season usually peaks in December and January1. It said it normally takes about 2 weeks following a flu jab to offer maximum protection, meaning those who want to be protected for Christmas Day get-togethers will need to be jabbed by Wednesday 11 December1. Latest figures showed an average of 1,099 people in hospital with flu every day last week compared to 243 in the same week last year, a 350% increase and the highest number of cases heading into winter for at least 3 years1. More than 27 million jabs have already been carried out for flu, COVID-19 and RSV in England1.
On 13 December 2024 the NHS reported that flu and COVID-19 jab appointments booked through its national booking system more than doubled from 9,452 on Wednesday to 21,144 on Thursday, a 124% increase, with bookings through the NHS App, NHS website or national call centre at their highest daily total of the month, an average of one booking every four seconds2. It said an average of 1,861 patients with flu were in hospital every day last week, up from 1,099 in the previous week and three and a half times higher than the same time last year2.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, National Medical Director for NHS England, said:
"Flu cases are skyrocketing so it's now or never for older people and children to get themselves jabbed and protected ahead of any family get-togethers they have planned over the festive period.
The NHS said pregnant women are encouraged to book their RSV vaccine via their maternity service or GP practice, and older adults should wait to be invited by the NHS1. It said people have until the end of 19 December to book COVID-19 and flu vaccination appointments on the NHS online booking system, NHS App and 119 phone service, and that it is still possible to book after that through local NHS vaccination services such as pharmacies or walk-in sites, though there will be fewer COVID-19 appointments and people may need to travel further1. The NHS listed those currently eligible for a flu vaccine this year, in line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, as:
| Group eligible for a flu vaccine |
|---|
| Pregnant women |
| All children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024 |
| Primary school aged children (reception to year 6) |
| Secondary school aged children (year 7 to year 11) |
| All children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to under 18 years |
| Those aged 65 years and over |
| Those aged 18 to under 65 in clinical risk groups |
| Those in long-stay residential care homes |
| Carers in receipt of carer's allowance, or main carer of an elderly or disabled person |
| Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals |
| Frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer-led occupational health scheme |
Source: NHS England1
The NHS said the flu vaccine is usually given to children as a quick and painless spray up the nose, without the need for an injection, unless the child cannot have porcine gelatine in medical products, in which case an injected flu vaccine is available as an alternative1. It said all NHS frontline health workers have also been offered the COVID-19 and flu vaccines1.
Why it matters for households
The offer covers two groups in England who have not previously been offered the RSV vaccine: pregnant women from 28 weeks, and adults aged 75 to 791. The NHS advises pregnant women to book through their maternity service or GP practice, and says older adults should wait to be invited1. For flu and COVID-19, the NHS advises that eligible people book without delay, and that jabs need to be given about two weeks before Christmas Day for maximum protection by then1. Households with children aged 2 or 3 on 31 August 2024, or at primary or secondary school, fall within the flu vaccination groups listed by the NHS1. The UK Health Security Agency supplies the flu surveillance data behind the figures, and the health emergencies hub covers wider winter health alerts. Households checking who can get a COVID-19 vaccine can use the guide to COVID-19 vaccine eligibility, and those seeking treatment for minor illness can read about Pharmacy First.
What happens next
Booking on the NHS online booking system, NHS App and 119 phone service for COVID-19 and flu appointments closes at the end of 19 December 20241. After that date, the NHS says vaccinations remain available through local NHS vaccination services such as pharmacies and walk-in sites, with fewer COVID-19 appointments and possibly further travel1.
