NHS England reported on 20 December 2025 that flu cases in hospital in England reached 3,140 by the end of the previous week. It said this was the highest ever for this time of year and up 18% on the week before1. The figures were published as the NHS urged the public to use services as normal over the final two days of strike action by resident doctors1.
The industrial action began at 7am on Wednesday 17 December and continues until 7am on Monday 22 December, NHS England said1. It said plans were in place to continue life-saving care while keeping as much routine care and scheduled operations going as possible, and that GP practices, pharmacies and urgent and emergency care services remain available1. The same announcement said there are "welcome signs that the rise in hospital cases is slowing"1.
NHS England set out how the public should reach services during the period. It said people who need emergency medical care should continue to use 999 or come forward to A&E as normal, and that for less urgent but serious situations the public should use 111 online as the first port of call so they can be directed to the best place for their needs1. It said patients should attend any planned appointments unless they have been contacted to reschedule1. It also said the NHS continues to offer free flu jabs in community pop-up clinics, such as Christmas markets, shopping centres and sports matches, in the lead up to Christmas and new year1.
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS England National Medical Director, said:
"And vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself from getting sick with flu, so if you're eligible, please come forward for a jab, it's not too late".
| Measure | Figure | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Flu cases in hospital, end of last week | 3,140 | Highest ever for this time of year; up 18% on the week before1 |
| Resident doctors' strike | From 7am Wednesday 17 December | Until 7am Monday 22 December1 |
Why it matters for households
The figures cover hospital flu cases in England and were published during a period when resident doctors are taking industrial action, which the NHS says has required plans to minimise disruption to patients1. For households, the practical points are about where to go for care over the weekend of 20 and 21 December and the morning of 22 December. NHS England's position is that emergency care continues as normal through 999 and A&E, that 111 online is the first port of call for less urgent but serious situations, and that planned appointments should be attended unless patients have been contacted to reschedule1. It also says GP practices, pharmacies and urgent and emergency care services remain available1.
On flu, NHS England says vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself from getting sick with flu and that it is not too late for eligible people to come forward for a jab, with free jabs offered at community pop-up clinics in the lead up to Christmas and new year1. The announcement does not set out which groups are eligible for a free flu jab, and this has not been reported here. For information on symptoms and when to get help, see the guide on flu: symptoms, staying at home and when to get help, and for telling the illnesses apart, is it a cold, flu or COVID-19?. The wider health emergencies hub covers related alerts.
What happens next
The strike action is due to end at 7am on Monday 22 December1. NHS England said the rise in hospital cases is showing welcome signs of slowing, but it did not give a figure for that slowdown, and no further flu case figures are given in the announcement1.
Cold, Flu or COVID-19
Flu Symptoms and Getting Help
