Over 5 Million Under 65s With Long-Term Health Conditions Could Miss Out on Flu Vaccine
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warns that many people at risk may be unaware they qualify for a flu vaccine. Latest data reveals that less than a third (28.9%) of individuals with one or more long-term health conditions (LTHCs) have received the flu vaccine.
Vaccination Rates Among At-Risk Groups
- Approximately 9 million people under 65 in clinical risk groups are eligible for the vaccine.
- Only 40% of this group were vaccinated in the 2024 to 2025 flu season.
- This means over 5 million eligible under-65 individuals remain unprotected.
- Among those aged 65 and older, uptake is higher at 61.5% so far this year and 74.9% last year.
- Despite higher rates, many older adults with LTHCs still miss out on vaccination.
Risk for Certain Clinical Groups
For some clinical groups, the risk of death related to influenza is significantly greater than that of the general population.
The risk of influenza-related mortality compared with the general population is much higher for some clinical groups.
UKHSA urges those eligible to be aware and get vaccinated to reduce their risk this flu season.
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Author's summary: Over 5 million under-65s with long-term health conditions remain unvaccinated against flu, highlighting the need for better awareness and uptake of vaccination in at-risk populations.