Overview
- May Parsons, who administered the first approved Covid vaccine on December 8, 2020, is urging people not to be complacent as she recalls patients regretting missed jabs.
- Flu vaccination in over‑65s has declined from 82.3% in 2020/21 to 74.9% in 2024/25, slipping just below the WHO’s 75% minimum target.
- This season’s Covid uptake remains subdued, with 61.6% of over‑75s and 28.2% of eligible under‑75s with weakened immunity receiving a jab so far.
- NHS England warns respiratory viruses are spiralling, with thousands of flu patients expected to require hospital care in the coming weeks.
- Access has been simplified through pharmacy nasal‑spray flu vaccines, combined flu/Covid appointments and NHS App booking, and 17 million flu jabs have already been delivered, 350,000 more than at this point last year.