The annual winter vaccination campaign is kicking off across the United Kingdom and the United States, with health officials urging eligible groups to get their flu, Covid-19, and RSV vaccines as soon as possible. As the air turns crisp and the days grow shorter, the message is clear: this year’s flu season could be one of the worst in recent memory, and getting vaccinated is more important than ever.
In the UK, the NHS winter vaccination programme began the week of September 1, 2025, with an initial focus on children and pregnant women. Practice nurses and their teams are already offering flu jabs to these groups, and the NHS National Booking System has opened for eligible individuals to schedule both flu and Covid-19 vaccinations. According to Nursing in Practice, school immunisation teams in some areas have started administering flu vaccines to two- and three-year-olds at nursery, with plans for a wider rollout in the future.
Dr. Amanda Doyle, national director for primary care and community services at NHS England, emphasized the urgency: “Flu and covid vaccines are free to those at greatest risk and teams across the country are working hard to make it as quick and easy as possible to get them via local GP practices, pharmacies, in schools and other community clinics, so please do book an appointment today – it could keep you out of hospital this winter.”
The eligibility list for flu vaccines is extensive, based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). From September 1, pregnant women, all children aged 2 or 3 years as of August 31, 2025, primary and secondary school-aged children, and children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to under 18 years can receive their flu vaccines. Pregnant women are especially encouraged to get their jab at maternity clinics, antenatal clinics, through their health visitor, or at a pharmacy. NHS England plans to publish further information on the flu vaccine rollout by the end of September.
From October 1, 2025, the eligibility for flu vaccines expands further to include adults aged 65 and over, adults aged 18 to under 65 in clinical risk groups, residents in long-stay care homes, carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, close contacts of immunocompromised individuals, and frontline social care workers without an employer-led occupational health scheme. All these groups will be able to access vaccines at their general practice or local pharmacy. According to NHS England, flu vaccinations will remain available until the end of March 2026, ensuring ample opportunity for those eligible to receive protection throughout the peak flu months.
Adults who are eligible for both flu and Covid-19 vaccines will be offered both in a single visit starting October 1, 2025. The Covid-19 vaccination programme will run from October 1, 2025, until January 31, 2026. The aim is to make the process as convenient as possible, particularly for those at highest risk of complications.
But why all the urgency? The numbers tell a sobering story. According to the UK government, last winter saw more than 300,000 hospital bed days taken up by patients with flu—almost double the previous winter’s 175,062, and nearly 50% higher than the year before’s 216,120. Care minister Stephen Kinnock summed up the stakes: “I urge all eligible families to come forward as soon as possible. Getting vaccinated now means you’ll be protected before peak flu season hits.”
Meanwhile, in the United States, the story is just as pressing. Capital Blue Cross, which serves a 21-county region in Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley, recently released findings from the 2024-25 flu season that underscore the value of flu vaccinations for seniors. Their data showed that seniors aged 65 and older who received flu shots were nearly 20% less likely to visit the emergency room for viral respiratory infections than those who skipped the shot. That’s not just a health benefit—it’s a financial one, too. Avoiding the emergency room saved seniors an average of $423 per ER visit, and $765 when the visit resulted in hospital admission.
Dr. Shikha Doomra, Clinical Medical Director at Capital Blue Cross, put it plainly: “Vaccines aren’t just about fighting the flu – they’re about preventing serious illness that can lead to emergency care or hospitalization. This data shows that skipping the flu shot can have real consequences, especially for older adults.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that U.S. flu hospitalizations in 2024-25 were the highest in more than a decade. Between January and March 2025, which aligns with peak flu season, Capital Blue Cross saw flu and pneumonia-related hospital admissions among its Medicare Advantage members rise by more than 60% compared to the same period in 2024. That surge added $2.5 million in healthcare costs.
Flu season typically begins in the fall, with peak activity in the winter. Dr. Doomra recommends getting vaccinated early in the fall to give your body time to build strong protection. The CDC recommends flu shots for everyone aged 6 months and older, and vaccines for RSV and pneumonia are also available for eligible individuals, including older adults and those with underlying health conditions or weakened immune systems. “Whether you’re a senior, a caregiver, or simply preparing for the season ahead, taking a few simple steps now can help you stay healthier through the fall and winter months,” Dr. Doomra advised.
Access to vaccines is broad, with options available at doctor’s offices, pharmacies, clinics, and health departments. Many locations offer online scheduling. Most health plans cover flu, pneumonia, and RSV vaccines, but those without insurance may still be able to get vaccinated at low or no cost through local health departments, community health clinics, or federally funded programs.
Back in the UK, the vaccination effort is expanding to include other diseases as well. The RSV vaccine, introduced in September last year, is now available to pregnant women from 28 weeks onwards and adults aged 75 and over. Over two million people have already received the RSV vaccination. Pregnant women can get the RSV vaccine through maternity services, while older adults can access it at their GP or at more than 120 participating pharmacies in the North West, East of England, and Midlands. The RSV vaccine can be given alongside Covid-19 jabs, though it is recommended to administer it separately from the flu shot for maximum effectiveness.
This week, the UK government has also started rolling out an expanded shingles vaccination programme for immunosuppressed adults, further strengthening the nation’s defences against seasonal and opportunistic infections.
As the world braces for another challenging winter, the data is clear: vaccines save lives, reduce hospital admissions, and spare families needless hardship and expense. The flu, Covid-19, and RSV may be lurking around the corner, but with robust vaccination programmes and a little planning, communities on both sides of the Atlantic can face the season with greater confidence.
