Health chiefs are urging millions of Britons to get vaccinated against flu to prevent them falling ill over Christmas. A particularly nasty strain of flu, known as H3N2, is circulating this winter, putting thousands of patients in hospital.
NHS bosses fear it could be the worst flu season on record. However, millions of vulnerable patients have still not been vaccinated. It takes up to 14 days for the flu jab to become effective, meaning the next few days are crucial if people are to be protected in time for Christmas Day.
Who can get a flu vaccine on the NHS?
More than half of the population qualify for free flu jabs on the NHS, delivered via high street pharmacies or GP surgeries.
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Flu vaccines are offered to all adults aged 65 or over, as well as pregnant women and under-65s at clinical risk due to underlying health conditions such as asthma. All frontline health workers are also offered the vaccine. They can be booked via your GP or online through the NHS app and website.
An airborne pathogen. People who get vaccinated now should be protected from infection by Christmas Day
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The NHS also gives the vaccine to all schoolchildren. For adults, the flu vaccine is administered as an injection. Children are typically offered a nasal spray.
So far this year, the NHS has delivered 17 million flu jabs. About 70 per cent of over-65s have had the jab, but only 42 per cent of younger adults in a clinical risk group have been vaccinated.
Can I pay for the jab privately if I’m not eligible on the NHS?
Yes, pharmacies offer the flu jab to adults who are not eligible for it on the NHS, and it typically costs about £20. High street pharmacies including chains such as Boots and Superdrug offer appointments, which can be booked online or via walk-in clinics.
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Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, said: “Independent pharmacies across the country are reporting a big surge in inquiries about flu vaccinations and treatment.
“Community pharmacies have stock of both the adult and child flu vaccines. Anybody who hasn’t yet had their own flu vaccine should prioritise popping into their local pharmacy to get protected.
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“This is a busy weekend for families, but there is no more important errand you can run to ensure a merry Christmas than getting your flu jab.”
How effective is the flu vaccine?
No vaccine is 100 per cent effective, but vaccines are the best way to protect against serious illness from flu. This year’s dominant flu strain is a subtype of influenza A (H3N2), known as subclade K. It has “drifted” from previous years, meaning it has acquired some genetic mutations compared with the strain of the virus that the vaccine was designed against.
Flu vaccines are offered free to all over-65s, as well as pregnant women, frontline NHS workers and under-65s at clinical risk due to underlying health conditions
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However, data has shown that the vaccine still provides good protection. The UK Health Security Agency found the 2025-26 vaccine was 70 to 75 per cent effective at preventing hospital attendance in children aged 2-17, and 30 to 40 per cent effective in adults. This is broadly in line with effectiveness in previous flu seasons.
Experts said that the higher effectiveness among children, who act as “superspreaders”, made it particularly important that parents got their children vaccinated as this would help reduce transmission to older generations.