The UK health service urged Brits to ‘get protected from serious illness’ – here’s what you should know
It’s Black Friday weekend and many Brits will no doubt be racing to snap up the latest pre-Christmas deals. But a new tongue-in-cheek post from the NHS suggests it might be worth skipping that search for yet another air fryer and doing this instead.
In a timely Instagram Story, the UK health service wrote: “This Black Friday, get the flu vaccine. Not another air fryer. Get protected from serious illness!”
The NHS alert comes amid ongoing concern about an early rise in flu cases and its potential to cause a ‘long and drawn out’ winter nationwide. Although influenza is currently ‘circulating at low levels’, cases have risen with a ‘weekly mean positivity rate of 11.6%’ compared to 10.7% in the previous week, according to the latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
It’s understood that children and young adults are playing a major role in the current circulation of influenza, with emergency department (ED) visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) also rising during the week of November 17 to 23.
The NHS concern also follows other warning signs from the Asia-Pacific region, where Japan previously declared a flu epidemic back in October. This led to the closure of many schools.
On October 30, Dr Alex Allen, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, explained: “We’re seeing an unusually early start to the flu season this year, with the latest data showing a sharp increase among children but also increases in other age groups, with the virus now starting to spread more widely in the community.
“If you’re eligible for a vaccine it is because you are at greater risk of severe illness – every year we see many thousands end up in hospital and far too many deaths from flu. It’s crucial that everyone eligible books their appointment as soon as possible. The vaccine is our best defence.”
Each autumn or early winter, the NHS offers flu vaccines to individuals at higher risk of serious health issues. According to a prior UKHSA update, six primary groups could start booking their flu shots from September 1, while an additional six groups became eligible from October 1.
From September 1, this included:
- Children with certain long-term health conditions (aged six months to less than 18 years)
- 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 six months to under 18 years
- Pregnant women
- All children aged two or three years old on August 31, 2025
And from October 1, this encompassed:
- Everyone aged 65 years old and over
- Anyone aged 18 to 65 with long-term health conditions
- Care home residents
- Carers in receipt of Carer’s Allowance, or those who are a main carer of an elderly or disabled person
- Those living with people who are immunocompromised
- Frontline health and social care workers
Vaccinations are available at GP surgeries, some pharmacies, maternity clinics, and care homes. Health and social care workers may be eligible to receive vaccinations at their workplace.
In his October update, Dr Allen continued: “Parents should return school consent forms or arrange GP appointments for two to three-year-olds. The nasal spray vaccine can help stop your child from getting very unwell and reduce the risk of passing flu to vulnerable family members.
“Anyone with flu or COVID-19 symptoms – including high temperature, cough, and feeling tired or achy – should minimise contact with others, especially those who are vulnerable. If you need to go out with symptoms, consider wearing a face covering, wash hands regularly and ensure indoor spaces are well ventilated.”
