Last day for eligible patients to get a winter Covid-19 vaccine at walk-in sites

NHS England announced on 30 January 2025 that Friday 31 January 2025 was the last day those eligible could get a winter Covid-19 vaccine at local services or walk-in sites¹. The announcement came in its weekly winter pressure figures, which showed norovirus patients in hospital at their highest level so far this winter¹.

An average of 898 people a day were in hospital with norovirus last week, a 15% jump on the 784 in the week ending 19 January and 30% higher than the 688 in the same week last year¹. Flu pressure continued to fall, with an average of 3,019 patients a day in hospital with the virus, down 21% on 3,833 the week before but still over a third higher than 2,226 the same week last year¹. There was also an average of 995 patients a day in hospital with Covid-19, and 28 children with RSV, down from 29 the week before but 41% higher than the 20 patients last year¹.

The NHS has delivered more than 29 million Covid, flu and RSV vaccinations since the start of the rollout in September, and flu vaccinations continue to be delivered until 31 March¹. Pressure on hospital capacity remained high, with an average of 96% of adult beds occupied and a total of 97,567 patients in hospital each day¹. An average of 13,426 patients a day were in hospital despite being medically fit for discharge, taking up more than 1 in 7 available beds¹. Emergency services managed 91,275 ambulance arrivals at A&E, similar to last year's 90,079, while hours lost to handover delays fell to 22,413 from 33,480 in the same week of 2024¹.

Why it matters for households

People eligible for a winter Covid-19 vaccine had until 31 January 2025 to get one at local services or walk-in sites; after that date the source gives no further walk-in availability¹. Flu vaccination continues until 31 March¹. Professor Redhead said hospitals remain close to capacity, with almost a fifth of beds filled due to seasonal viruses and delayed discharges to settings like social and community care¹. He asked the public to call 999 or visit A&E only in a life-threatening emergency and to use NHS 111 for other conditions, and, with higher than usual levels of norovirus, to wash hands frequently with soap and water and avoid close contact with others when symptomatic¹. The guide to who can get a Covid-19 vaccine now sets out eligibility, and the health emergencies hub covers related alerts.

What happens next

Flu vaccinations continue to be delivered until 31 March 2025¹. Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said the NHS mandate published that day sets out that improving A&E and ambulance waiting times should be among the top priorities for trusts over the coming year¹.