Thousands more people in the East of England have been booking their winter vaccines after the NHS warned of a “tidal wave” of flu and other seasonal viruses hitting hospitals.

The number of flu and Covid jab appointments booked through the NHS’s national booking system more than doubled from 9,452 on Wednesday to 21,144 on Thursday – a 124% increase.

Over three million flu and Covid vaccinations have been delivered in the East of England already this year. However, these numbers are down on last year and there are still more people we need to reach to make sure everyone is protected. The NHS warned last week that a sharp rise in infections led to a 70% national increase in hospital cases across just seven days. A national average of 1,861 patients with flu were in hospital every day last week – up from 1,099 in the previous week and three and a half times higher than the same time last year.

Eligible people are being encouraged to get vaccinated without delay if they haven’t done so already to avoid festive flu. Anyone eligible has until the end of the day on 19 December to book a flu or Covid vaccine appointment via the NHS website, NHS App, or by calling 119 for free. The flu vaccine can also be booked with your GP, by searching online for a local pharmacy and there are Covid walk in vaccination sites.

The NHS wants to reach those people who haven’t yet had their jabs with the simple message of “Now is the perfect time to get vaccinated”. The vaccines provide the best possible protection. Even if you’ve been vaccinated before or had the illness, it’s vital to top up your immunity. For more information on how to book your vaccination, go to www.nhs.uk/wintervaccinations.

Dr Eleanor Powers, Head of Public Health Commissioning (Immunisation) for NHS England – East of England, said: “No one wants to spend the holidays unwell. You still have time to protect yourself ahead of mixing with family friends, by booking your vaccinations for flu and covid if you are eligible. Although many people have now come forward for their winter jabs to help them stay healthy, we still need more to do the same. If you’re not eligible, there may be someone in your life who is who needs help to book or attend their jab.

“It’s crucial that all children in clinical risk groups, such as those with serious heart and lung conditions, aged from 6 months to less than 18 years get their free vaccinations. It is usually given to children as a quick and painless spray up the nose – without the need for an injection – unless your child cannot have porcine gelatine in medical products, in which case an injected flu vaccine is available as an alternative.

“There’s less than a week left to book your vaccine, so I’d urge anyone eligible who hasn’t made an appointment to get yours booked and to encourage your family and friends to do so too, and avoid flu over the festive season.”

The NHS is offering free flu and Covid vaccines to many groups, including:

• pregnant women 
• all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024 
• primary school aged children (from reception to year 6) 
• secondary school aged children (from year 7 to year 11) 
• all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years 
• those aged 65 years and over 
• those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book) 
• those in long-stay residential care homes 
• carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person 
• close contacts of immunocompromised individuals 
• frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or personal health budgets, such as personal assistants 

It is still possible to book your vaccinations after 19 December through local NHS vaccination services, like pharmacies or walk-in sites. However, there will be fewer Covid appointments, and you may need to travel further.