Parents are being encouraged to ensure their children receive flu vaccinations during the half-term break, as the NHS warns of rising flu infections and hospital admissions across England.
Health officials say this year’s flu season has arrived earlier than usual, with the latest surveillance report showing increased activity, particularly among school-aged children.
According to NHS England, while many pupils have already received their flu shots in school, there are still opportunities for those who missed out. Pop-up vaccination clinics have been set up in accessible locations such as community centres, bowling alleys, and fire stations to make the process easier for families.
GP surgeries are also offering flu vaccines to school-aged children with specific health conditions, as well as to two- and three-year-olds, who can alternatively receive the nasal spray vaccine at pharmacies.
NHS Chief Nursing Officer Duncan Burton expressed concern over the early surge, describing the rise in flu cases among children as “worrying.”
“Flu can spread like wildfire across schools and make children really unwell,” Burton said. “The virus changes each year, so vaccination remains the best way to shield your child from getting seriously ill.”
Medical experts, including Dr Fari Ahmad, echoed the call for widespread immunisation. Speaking on BBC Breakfast, she said flu remains “unpredictable and deadly,” warning that the country had not yet reached the seasonal peak.
“This is a war we fight every year,” Dr Ahmad noted. “Getting enough school-age children vaccinated helps protect everyone — not just the kids but the wider community.”
So far, over 10 million flu vaccines have been administered as part of the NHS campaign, including nearly 1.5 million school-aged children and more than 300,000 toddlers.
Free flu vaccinations are also available for people aged 65 and above, those with long-term health conditions, pregnant women, care home residents, and primary carers or household members of immunocompromised individuals.
Health officials continue to urge parents to act quickly, stressing that vaccination is “quick, easy, and safe” and remains the most effective protection against severe illness.
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