With just over a week left to book COVID-19 and flu vaccinations online, NHS chiefs in the South East are urging everyone still eligible to get protected – as figures on the number of hospitalisations in the region are released.

Newly available data shows that despite NHS South East staff administering a combined total of more than 4 million vaccinations against the diseases between 3 October and 1 December, last week saw a daily average of 281 people being hospitalised with either covid or flu in the region.

Nationally there has been a 350% increase in flu cases in hospital compared to same week last year.

As the huge effort to help reduce rates of covid, flu and RSV this winter continues, people have until the end of 19 December to book COVID-19 and flu vaccination appointments on the NHS online booking system (COVID-19, flu vaccination), NHS App and 119 phone service.

After this time, it will still be possible for people to book vaccinations through local NHS vaccination services, like pharmacies or walk-in sites. However, there will be fewer COVID appointments, and people may have to travel further.

Trish Mannes, Regional Lead at UK Health Security Agency, South East said: “It’s clear that unless more of those eligible to receive the flu and Covid-19 vaccines come forward, we are likely to see more cases and more hospitalisations and deaths across the South East than we saw last year. It is still early in the season, so there is still time to change this and reduce the impact of these viruses on our communities in time for Christmas, but time is running out. It’s vital that those eligible who have still not been vaccinated come forward soon before the NHS booking system closes.”

James Hempsted-Kingham, Director of Primary Care & Public Health Commissioning for the region, said: “It’s great news that millions of people have now been vaccinated against covid and flu in the South East. However, there is still time for others who are eligible to come forward, so please do take advantage of booking online between now and the 14 December.

He added: “Getting vaccinated is the best way for people to ensure they and their families are protected against flu and covid this Christmas when the viruses spread more easily as people spend more time indoors. It takes about two weeks following vaccination to build up the maximum defences against the viruses, so it’s important to book in early.”

You are eligible for a Covid-19 and flu vaccination if you:

• are aged 65 or over
• are pregnant
• are aged 6 months to 64 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book)
• live in a care home for older adults
• are a frontline health and social care worker, including those working in care homes for older adults

In addition to the above, those also eligible for a flu vaccine include:

• carers in receipt of carer’s allowance or are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
• close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
• all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024
• primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6) and 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
• 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 that are employed by those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or personal health budgets, such as personal assistants.