This year’s flu season shows no signs of slowing down, with numbers of people hospitalised already at record levels for this time of year.
NHS boss Sir Jim Mackey warned last month that this winter ‘will be one of the toughest our staff have ever faced’.
Now, the statistics are following through, with an average of 1,717 flu patients in hospital beds in England each day last week, including 69 in critical care, according to the first of this year’s NHS winter situation reports.
This is 56% higher than the equivalent numbers for the same week in 2024, when the total was 1,098 with 39 in critical care. It is also well above levels seen at this point in both 2023 (243 patients) and 2022 (772).
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This could mean the wave is just starting early, but experts fear it means it will grow to a higher peak too, with vaccination rates below what the government aim for.
With Christmas approaching fast, it will be prime time for people socialising and visiting relatives, potentially bringing unwelcome germs as well as Christmas presents which could fuel the spread even further.
Last year’s season already saw the highest weekly figure recorded since the Covid-19 pandemic, with numbers peaking at 5,408 patients in early January.
It is feared that this year, the numbers hospitalised could match last year’s, or potentially go even higher, up to some 8,000 patients.
The spread is being driven by the A/H3N2 strain, also known as Subclade K, after the variant mutated over the summer to better evade previous immunity.
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,
Professor Julian Redhead, NHS national medical director for urgent and emergency care, said flu cases are now ‘incredibly high’ and that the latest figures ‘confirm our deepest concerns: the health service is bracing for an unprecedented flu wave this winter’.
He added: ‘The NHS has prepared earlier for winter than ever before, but despite that we know that ballooning flu cases coinciding with strikes may stretch our staff close to breaking point in the coming weeks.
‘With just a couple of weeks left to ensure maximum immunity from flu for Christmas Day, I urge anyone eligible to come forward to get their jab.’
Hospitals are already preparing to be stretched over the festive period, with resident doctors in England due to go on strike for five days from 7am on December 17 until 7am on December 22.
It follows similar strike action by resident doctors, formerly called junior doctors, between November 14 and November 19, as they continue their fight with the Government over training and pay.
Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, UKHSA consultant epidemiologist, warned people not to delay in getting their flu vaccine in time for Christmas, as it does not work immediately.
He said: ‘Nobody wants anyone in their family, especially young children, to spend Christmas in hospital.
‘The best defence against this is a vaccine, but time is running out as it can take up to two weeks from vaccination for your body to build maximum protection.’
Separate figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show the rate of hospital admissions for flu stood at 7.8 per 100,000 people last week, up sharply from 4.8 the previous week and almost double the rate at this point last year (4.4).
Admission rates were highest among people aged 85 and over, at 40.0 per 100,000; 75-84 year-olds (21.4); and children aged four and under (21.2).
Who is eligible for a flu jab?
Anyone can get a flu vaccine in a pharmacy, however it is only available free of charge to certain at-risk groups.
In Boots, for example, it costs £21.95 to to pay for one if you don’t fall under any of the groups below.
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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