If you’ve been procrastinating over getting a flu jab, let this be your sign to book an appointment.
The NHS has just issued an ‘urgent plea’ for people to get vaccinated, with the numbers of people in hospital in the capital already triple what they were this time last year.
London Ambulance Service has also said they’re dealing with a large volume of calls, with numbers seen over the last weekend of November more typical of New Year’s Eve.
Last month was its busiest November on record, with 999 call handlers receiving 192,600 calls – over 13,000 more compared to the same month last year.
Today, the NHS issued an ‘urgent plea’ for people to get their flu vaccine and reduce their risk of becoming seriously unwell, as a mutated version of the virus which has already caused a bad flu season in Australia is now threatening the same here.
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How many people have been vaccinated against flu?
As of 30 November 2025, latest operational figures showed that:
- 41% in those aged six months to 64 years in a clinical risk group (excluding immunosuppressed) have been vaccinated;
- 42% in those aged six months to 65 who are immunosuppressed have been vaccinated.
- 42% of all pregnant women, 70% of those aged over 65 years and 71% of care home residents have been vaccinated.
- 40% of two to three year olds have been vaccinated.
The World Health Organisation provides a target of 75% flu vaccination coverage for older adults and people with chronic conditions.
There is still ‘no peak in sight’, they said, with cases set to rise still further. Infections are typically boosted by increased socialising over Christmas, with families travelling to be with each other and taking any sickness they have acquired with them.
Last week, there were over 16,500 ambulance handovers, an average of 2,363 per day.
This is significantly higher than this time year, when ambulance teams delivered nearly 15,500 handovers (over 2,200 per day).
Dr Chris Streather, chief medical director for the NHS in London, said: ‘The NHS has prepared earlier for winter than ever before, but despite this, we know that surging flu cases, coinciding with industrial action by resident doctors, will put pressure on services in the coming weeks.
‘While we’ve vaccinated over 1.8 million people this season, there are still vulnerable people who haven’t come forward. If you’re in one of the eligible groups and you haven’t had your flu vaccine yet, I urge you to come forward as soon as possible – it’s never too late.’
Dr Fenella Wrigley, chief medical officer for the London Ambulance Service, said: ‘I strongly urge all eligible people to get a flu vaccination. We are extremely busy and our 999 control rooms are taking a number of calls from people with flu or similar viral illnesses.
‘Flu can make you feel very unwell, but most healthy people recover with rest, fluids and products available at your pharmacy to manage symptoms. We need our clinicians to be available to help the people who are more seriously unwell with flu or other conditions.’
How to get a flu vaccination?
You can get a walk-in vaccination in many pharmacies. Last week, there were even pop-up events at places like shopping centres, football matches and soft play areas.
Use the NHS walk-in checker to find the nearest pharmacy offering jabs without an appointment. This will be free for those in at-risk groups, or paid for those who are not, with prices typically ranging from £10 to £22.
Who can get a free flu jab?
The NHS will fund free flu jabs for everyone aged 65 and over; for those under 65 in clinical risk groups; care home residents and carers; pregnant women; close contacts of those who are immunosuppressed; frontline health and social care workers; and children.
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