Eligible people are being urged to take their last change to book flu jabs online in coming days to avoid the ‘festive flu’ ahead of Christmas.
NHS bosses say people will likely need to travel further to get vaccinated if they miss the “last chance saloon” of online bookings, which closes on December 20.
While more than half a million flu and COVID vaccinations have been booked in the last five weeks, an earlier-than-expected surge of seasonal viruses has increased flu-related hospital admissions by 70 per cent over seven days this month.
Steve Russell, national director for vaccinations and screening at NHS England, said: “With just three days to go, we are now in the last chance saloon to book extra protection against ‘festive flu’ via the online service.
“It’s important to remember that after Thursday, you may have to travel quite a bit further to get jabbed, with appointments no longer in as convenient places like supermarkets or car parks.”
Mr Russell said vaccinations not only protect ourselves against illness but also help protect friends and family, including loved ones working over the holidays in jobs that don’t provide sick pay.
The latest NHS figures show hospitals admitted an average of 1,861 patients with flu each day in the week ending December 10, up from 1,099 in the seven days before.
Norovirus and respiratory-linked virus (RSV) admissions were also on the rise, with norovirus cases up 10 per cent on the previous week while RSV cases were 64 per cent higher than in the same period last year.
There had been a surge in flu vaccine bookings following NHS warnings of a “tidal wave” of winter flu cases coming, but chief medical advisor at the UK Health Security Agency Susan Hopkins said vaccine levels among key groups has still not reached optimal levels.
“It is vital that those eligible take up the free flu and COVID-19 vaccines before Christmas,” she said.
“Taking up the vaccine will prevent putting your seasonal plans in jeopardy – and more importantly, prevent the risk of severe illness and hospitalisation.”
People eligible for a free vaccine include pregnant women, all children aged 2 or 3 on August 31 this year, primary school and secondary school aged children, those aged 65 or older, people aged between 18 and 65 in clinical risk groups, and people in long-stay residential care homes.
Frontline care workers who aren’t covered by an employer-led scheme including residential care workers are also eligible, and all frontline NHS workers have been offered both the COVID-19 and flu vaccines.
