NHS England called on 17 December 2024 for people eligible for winter vaccinations to book without delay, ahead of the closure of the National Booking Service on Thursday 19 December1. The service said the number of flu cases in hospital had risen by 70% across just seven days, describing an earlier-than-usual wave of flu and seasonal viruses1.
Latest data cited by the service showed a 38% increase in hospital admissions for flu and an 80% increase in intensive care admissions1. More than half a million flu and COVID-19 vaccinations had been booked in the previous five weeks, and NHS staff had delivered 28 million vaccinations so far1. The announcement also referred to concern about a "quad-demic" affecting services over winter1.
From 20 December, winter vaccinations can no longer be booked online or through NHS 119, although people can still attend a COVID-19 walk-in vaccination site or find a pharmacy offering the flu vaccine, and may have further to travel1. NHS 119 remains available free of charge for help finding sites still offering winter vaccinations1.
"The NHS is heading into winter busier than ever before, and with a worrying, earlier-than-usual surge in seasonal viruses being seen, we're now urging people to get vaccinated before it becomes less convenient on the 20 December."
Those currently eligible for a flu vaccine this year, in line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, are listed by NHS England as follows1:
| Eligible groups for a flu vaccine (2024 to 2025) |
|---|
| 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 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book) |
| Those in long-stay residential care homes |
| Carers in receipt of carer's allowance, or the 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, including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers, and those who receive direct payments or personal health budgets, such as personal assistants |
All NHS frontline health workers have also been offered the COVID-19 and flu vaccines1. Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Advisor at UKHSA, said rates of flu were increasing and that winter vaccine uptake had not yet reached the high levels aimed for in some groups1.
Why it matters for households
The change applies across England from 20 December 2024, when online and 119 booking for winter vaccinations ends1. NHS England said appointments after that date may be further away, with jabs no longer available in places such as supermarkets or car parks1. The vaccines, the service said, help protect those at greater risk against severe illness and hospitalisation1. UKHSA's Chief Medical Advisor said taking up the vaccine would prevent putting seasonal plans in jeopardy and, more importantly, the risk of severe illness and hospitalisation1. Households can check which groups are eligible and what the vaccines protect against in the guide to vaccines that protect against outbreaks, part of the health emergencies section.
What happens next
The National Booking Service closes on 19 December 20241. From 20 December, COVID-19 walk-in sites and pharmacies offering the flu vaccine remain options, and NHS 119 can help find sites still offering winter vaccinations1.
Vaccines Against Outbreaks
