New data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has found that the flu vaccine is estimated to have prevented between 96,000 to 120,200 hospitalisations in England last winter.

Despite high figures, immunisation experts say that many more could have been protected if more people took up their free opportunity to get vaccinated. Despite some success in vaccine uptake, there were concerns over declines in several groups, notably children.

The number of two to three year olds who received the vaccine this year decreased from 44.1 per cent and 44.6 per cent, respectively, to 41. 7 per cent and 43.5 per cent, which are also lower than uptake before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Primary school children were vaccinated against influenza less this year (54.5 per cent) compared with pre-pandemic levels in 2019-2020 (60.4 per cent), and there was also less uptake in those with long term health conditions and/or who are immunosuppressed (40 per cent), compared with 44.9 per cent before the pandemic.

There is positive news, however, with rates in secondary school children (44.6 per cent) being the highest ever level since the secondary schools’ programme introduced, and high flu vaccine uptake was seen once again in those aged 65 and over (74.9 per cent), only just missing the World Health Organisation (WHO) 75 per cent target.

The 2024-25 flu season was particularly severe, with high impacts on the NHS. It saw 139.5 people out of 100,00 being hospitalised, almost double last year’s (2023-24) rate (77.5 per 100,00), and an increase in mortality. This winter, 7,757 died from influenza, compared to 3,555 last year, although a lower figure than during the 2022-23 season (15,876).

Estimated vaccine effectiveness against primary care influenza attendances ranged from 35 per cent (adults aged 65 and above) to 55 per cent in children, while against hospitalisation, vaccine effectiveness was 38 per cent in adults 65 and over, and 75 per cent in children aged two to 17.

Dr Suzanna McDonald, national lead for the influenza programme at UKHSA, said: “Our flu reports for last winter shows a mixed picture with some successes but also some concerning falls in vaccine uptake.

“Uptake among secondary school children was at a record high and in the older age group, 65 and over we almost achieved the World Health Organisation 75 per cent target, which we should aim for this year. But many of the more vulnerable who are eligible — young infants, primary school children and people with a long-term health condition and the immunosuppressed — did not get their vaccine, with worryingly low uptakes.

“Last winter was a bad flu season, but estimates show vaccination protected as many as 120,200 from being hospitalised. But for many thousands of unvaccinated vulnerable children and adults who ended up seriously ill in hospital, this could have been prevented.”