Over 5 Million Under 65s with Long-Term Health Conditions May Miss Flu Vaccine
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warns that many people at risk might not realize they qualify for the flu vaccine.
Vaccination Rates Among At-Risk Groups
- Less than a third (28.9%) of people with one or more long-term health conditions (LTHCs) have received a flu vaccine.
- Among 9 million individuals under 65 in clinical risk groups, only 40% were vaccinated last year (2024–2025), leaving over 5 million unprotected.
- Vaccination uptake is higher in adults aged 65 and older — 61.5% this year to date and 74.9% overall last year — yet many in this group with LTHCs remain unvaccinated.
Risk for Specific Clinical Groups
For some clinical groups, the risk of influenza-related death is significantly higher than in the general population.
"For some clinical groups the risk of influenza-related mortality compared with the general population is much higher."
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Author's summary: Over 5 million people under 65 with long-term health conditions in the UK miss the flu vaccine each season, despite being eligible, leaving them vulnerable to severe illness.