UKHSA urges winter vaccinations as flu and Covid-19 cases rise

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is urging eligible groups to take up winter vaccinations as data show early increases in flu and Covid-19 activity.

Covid-19 positivity climbed from 7.6% to 8.4% in the most recent week, with hospital admissions increasing from 2 to 2.73 per 100,000. Flu positivity also rose, from 1.1% to 1.3%.

Since September 1, community pharmacy teams have been able to vaccinate pregnant women under the 2025/26 NHS adult flu vaccination service.

Meanwhile, around 4,000 community pharmacies have signed up to deliver flu vaccines to two- and three-year-olds from 1 October 2025.

Vaccination of other eligible adults for flu and Covid also begins today (1 October) across pharmacies, GP practices and community clinics.

A government-backed campaign, ‘Stay Strong. Get Vaccinated’, has been launched to drive uptake across eligible groups. Developed by UKHSA, the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England, it will run across TV, radio, digital and outdoor channels.

Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: ‘Flu and Covid-19 levels are starting to slowly increase. While this is to be expected at this time of year, now is the time for people to come forward for their winter vaccines if they’re eligible, before we start to see more of these viruses in circulation in the winter months.’’

UKHSA also reported a rise in rhinovirus activity following the reopening of schools, with positivity increasing from 10.9% to 14.8%.