People with certain health conditions are being urged to book a GP appointment for a flu jab before December 11. The flu vaccine is available free of charge on the NHS for people at higher risk of developing serious complications from the virus, and it is offered to eligible groups every autumn and early winter.

Flu cases typically increase during the winter months as people spend more time indoors, which makes transmission from person to person much easier, and the cold, dry air can help the virus to survive longer. If you catch it, the virus can cause an array of unpleasant symptoms which can come on very quickly, including a sudden high temperature, aches and pains, a dry cough, sore throat, headache and feeling exhausted. 

While flu will often get better on its own, for people with certain health conditions, it can make them seriously ill, but this risk is reduced by getting the flu vaccine.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned that flu is currently spreading, with cases rising significantly in the past week, particularly among adults.

Flu hospitalisations have increased by 63% this past week and with people expected to mix and socialise more over in the run-up to Christmas, it is expected that cases will increase even further.

As such, the UKHSA is urging people who are eligible to book a GP appointment for their flu vaccine before Thursday, December 11 – two weeks before Christmas.

According to health experts, it can take up to two weeks from vaccination for your body to build up protection against the virus, so getting the jab at least a fortnight before Christmas (i.e. by December 11) would maximise your defences against serious illness.

Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “With flu and RSV cases sharply increasing in the past week and Christmas just 3 weeks away, now is your last chance if eligible to help get protected before Christmas.

“We expect to see these viruses circulating more widely in the lead up to Christmas and more people getting sick – threatening a potential peak over the festive period and into the New Year.

“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 2 weeks from vaccination for your body to build maximum protection. So don’t delay any longer, if anyone in your family is eligible, book that appointment today or take your child to the local community clinic.”

You can get the flu vaccine free on the NHS if you:

are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2026)have certain long-term health conditionsare pregnantlive in a care homeare the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer’s allowancelive with someone who has a weakened immune system

According to the NHS, anyone with the following 10 long-term health conditions are eligible to receive the flu vaccine and should book an appointment:

conditions that affect your breathing, such as asthma (needing a steroid inhaler or tablets), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or cystic fibrosisheart conditions, such as coronary heart disease or heart failurechronic kidney diseaseliver disease, such as cirrhosis or hepatitissome conditions that affect your brain or nerves, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsydiabetes or Addison’s diseasea weakened immune system due to a condition such as HIV or AIDS, or due to a treatment such as chemotherapy or steroid medicineproblems with your spleen, such as sickle cell disease, or if you’ve had your spleen removeda learning disabilitybeing very overweight – a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above

If you have a health condition that is not included on this list and you’re not sure if you are eligible for the flu jab, the NHS advises speaking to your GP surgery to check.