Urgent reminder: Flu Vaccine Deadline Approaching for Vulnerable Groups
With flu cases rising considerably across the UK – hospitalisations have increased by 63% in โฃthe past week – the UK Health security Agency (UKHSA) is urging eligible individuals to getโค thier flu vaccine quickly, and before December 11th. This is because it takes up to two weeks for the vaccine to provide maximum protection, meaning a jab โคbefore this date will offer the best defense against โฃserious illness over the Christmas period and into the New Year.
the UKHSA โคwarns that increased social mixing in the lead-up โฃto Christmas โis expectedโข to drive further โฃincreases in flu cases, potentially leading to โฃa peak over the festiveโ season. Dr Jamie Lopez โBernal, consultant epidemiologist โคat UKHSA, emphasized the importance of vaccination, particularly โtoโข protect vulnerable family members, โขincluding โyoung children, from hospitalisation.
Who is eligibleโ forโ a free fluโ vaccine on the NHS?
You are โคeligible if you:
* Are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by March 31, 2026)
* Have certain โฃlong-term health conditions
* โค Are pregnant
* Live in a care โขhome
* โAre the main carer for an older or disabled person, โor receive a carer’s allowance
* Live with someoneโค who has a weakened immuneโ system
Specifically, individuals with the โคfollowing 10 long-term health conditions are advised to book โฃa flu vaccine appointment:
* conditions affecting breathing, such asโข asthma (requiring steroid inhalers/tablets), COPD, โorโข cystic โคfibrosis.
* โHeart conditions, including coronary heart diseaseโ or heartโฃ failure.
* โคChronic kidney disease.
*โฃ Liver disease,โ such as cirrhosis or hepatitis.
* Neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease,โฃ motor neurone disease, โmultiple sclerosis, or cerebral palsy.
* Diabetes or Addison’s disease.
* A weakened immune system due to conditions like HIV/AIDS or treatments like chemotherapy/steroids.
* โ Problems with the spleen, โsuch as sickle cell disease, or if the spleen has been removed.
* A learning โdisability.
* A Body โคMass Index (BMI) ofโข 40 or above.
If you haveโค a health condition not on this listโฃ and are unsure about your eligibility,โ the NHS recommends contacting your GP surgery for advice.
Don’t delay โ- book your โคflu vaccine appointment todayโฃ to maximize your protection this Christmas.