Over 5 Million Under 65s at Risk of Missing Flu Vaccine
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has raised concern that millions of people with long-term health conditions may not realise they qualify for a free flu vaccine.
Current data shows that fewer than one in three (28.9%) people with at least one long-term health condition have received the flu vaccine so far. Among nearly 9 million people under 65 in clinical risk groups who are eligible, only 40% were vaccinated during the 2024–2025 season, leaving more than 5 million without protection.
Vaccination rates among older adults are higher: 61.5% of those aged 65 and above have been vaccinated this year, compared with 74.9% in the previous season. However, even within this group, many individuals with chronic conditions remain unvaccinated.
“For some clinical groups, the risk of influenza-related mortality compared with the general population is much higher.”
Summary
Millions of UK residents under 65 with chronic health conditions remain unvaccinated against flu, leaving them at higher risk during the 2024–2025 season.