London NHS staff have now given almost 46,000 more flu vaccinations this winter compared to the same period last year, despite starting a month later than last year. It is hoped that this number continues to rise however, as Londoners are still being encouraged to protect themselves by getting the jab if they haven’t already had it.

The latest figures show 1,901,449 flu vaccinations were delivered by NHS staff in London between 1 September 2024 and 5 January 2025, compared to 1,855,576 between 1 August 2023 and 7 January 2024.

While the national vaccination booking system has now closed, those eligible can still get protected from flu or Covid-19 by visiting a walk-in vaccination site, or finding a pharmacy offering the flu vaccine.

NHS London medical director Dr Chris Streather said people can play their part in the ongoing reduction in flu cases by getting vaccinated and continuing to use health services as they usually would.

He added: “NHS staff have once again stepped up the vaccination programme this year, protecting nearly 46,000 more people in London than at the same time last year. More than 600 people were in London hospitals with flu at the start of last week and this figure had dropped to around 500 by the end of the week – we want to see this downward trajectory continue.

“The best way to fight flu is to get vaccinated, so I urge those eligible to contact their GP or local pharmacy to get a flu jab as soon as possible.

“People should continue to only use 999 and A&E in life-threatening emergencies and use NHS 111 and 111 online for other conditions, as well as using their GP and pharmacy in the usual way.”

Ahead of winter, the NHS put in place measures to manage extra demand including upgraded 24-hour coordination centres, support for frequent users of A&E services, strengthened same day emergency care and more care in the community.

NHS London’s chief nurse Karen Bonner said: “It  is great to see the number of people with flu in London hospitals beginning to fall. Flu is a serious illness and can mean increased pressure on already busy emergency departments across London. The best way to protect yourself and those around you is by getting vaccinated, which also helps to ease pressure on the NHS.”

Notes to editors

Those currently eligible for a flu vaccine include:

pregnant women

all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024

primary school aged children (from reception to year 6)

secondary school aged children (from year 7 to year 11)

all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years

those aged 65 years and over

those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book)

those in long-stay residential care homes

carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person

close contacts of immunocompromised individuals.

frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or personal health budgets, such as personal assistants.