Over 5 Million Under-65s with Health Conditions Could Miss Out on Flu Vaccine
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has expressed concern that many people under 65 with long-term health conditions may not be aware they can receive a flu vaccination.
Recent data indicates that fewer than one in three (28.9%) of individuals under 65 with at least one long-term health condition have been vaccinated against influenza this season.
Among the 9 million people under 65 classified as being in clinical risk groups, only 40% were vaccinated during the 2024–2025 period. This leaves more than 5 million individuals without protection against flu.
Vaccination rates among older adults remain higher: 61.5% so far this year and 74.9% in the previous season. However, a significant number of people over 65 with chronic conditions are also missing out.
“For some clinical groups, the risk of influenza-related mortality compared with the general population is much higher.”
Summary
Millions of at-risk adults under 65 in the UK remain unprotected against flu, with vaccination rates alarmingly low despite clear eligibility.