Flu hospitalisations drop but vaccination remains a priority says NHS
The number of people in hospital with flu decreased over Christmas according to the latest data, but the NHS is ‘far from complacent’.
There were 2,676 patients in hospital with flu in the week beginning 22 December 2025 compared to 3,061 the previous week.
Related Article: Research review: a look at the latest clinical papers
Yet amber and yellow cold health alerts for England, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) as temperatures fall below freezing, mean vaccination remains a priority.
NHS national medical director, Professor Meghana Pandit, said: ‘It is welcome news to see a drop in the number of people being admitted to hospital with flu, thanks in part to the extraordinary efforts of NHS staff with more than half a million more people vaccinated against flu compared to the same period last year.
‘The NHS is far from complacent as temperatures drop, with this likely to increase pressures in the New Year. If you haven’t had your flu jab yet and are eligible, please come forward – it’s not too late.’
The UKHSA figures also show that a total of 414,562 calls to NHS 111 were reported as answered during Christmas week, almost 24,000 more than the previous week.
Related Article: Seven illnesses meningitis is often mistaken for
Health and social care secretary Wes Streeting praised the ‘Herculean’ efforts of NHS staff but admitted: ‘We still face intense pressures, and with this bitingly cold snap adding additional challenges it is more vital than ever those eligible get their flu jab and people only attend A&E in an emergency.’
‘Let’s all join NHS staff in doing everything we can to protect ourselves and our families through a difficult winter, so NHS services are free for those who really need them,’ he added.
The decrease in flu hospitalisations is welcome news following weeks of concern about an unprecedented flu surge and an ‘unusually early’ start to the flu season.
Related Article: MenB vaccination programme to be rolled out in pharmacies
Virologist Dr Phillip Gould attributed this early start to higher levels of flu virus and lower vaccination rates in Australia.
The flu vaccine remains the best protection against severe illness and hospitalisation, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
Keep your clinical knowledge up to date with The Pharmacist
Extend your learning and record your learning outcomes
Have your say
Please add your comment in the box below. You can include links, but HTML is not permitted. Please note that comments are not moderated before publication and the views expressed are those of the user and do not reflect the views of The Pharmacist. Remember that submission of comments is governed by our Terms and Conditions. You can also read our full guidelines on article comments here – but please be aware that you are legally liable for any libellous or offensive comments that you make. If you have a complaint about a comment or are concerned that a comment breaches our terms and conditions, please use the ‘Report this comment’ function to alert our web team.