As we move into the colder months, you’ll likely notice posters in GP surgeries and pharmacies urging you to get your flu jab. Each year, the NHS launches a major campaign to encourage people to protect themselves against seasonal flu, and more recently, Covid-19. For some, these illnesses can lead to serious complications and hospitalisation, adding pressure to NHS services already stretched during the winter months.
Here in Hampshire, we’re ahead of the curve when it comes to vaccinating older adults against flu. The latest figures show that uptake among the over-65s is above the national average. However, flu vaccination rates among younger children are below where they should be. Just under 60% of Hampshire children aged 2–3 have received their flu vaccine, which falls short of the World Health Organization’s 75% target. This is especially concerning since children under five have one of the highest hospital admission rates for flu.
In a positive move, from early October, parents can now get their 2–3-year-olds vaccinated at community pharmacies, an initiative that may help boost uptake this year.
Vaccination remains one of the greatest public health achievements of modern times, saving lives every day and preventing the spread of infectious diseases around the world. The UK has been a leader in this area.
Measles, however, is a stark reminder of how progress can be reversed. Once considered eliminated in England, with zero reported cases in 2018, measles has made a troubling return. By 2021, England lost its ‘measles elimination status’, with cases re-emerging across the country.
Several factors have contributed to this rise. Some parents may underestimate the severity of measles, having never witnessed its effects due to the vaccine’s past success. The Covid-19 pandemic also disrupted routine appointments, including childhood vaccinations. Misinformation continues to play a role, with persistent myths - such as the long-debunked claim linking the MMR vaccine to autism - still influencing vaccine hesitancy.
In 2024, England recorded 2,911 confirmed cases of measles, which was the highest annual total since 2012, driven largely by outbreaks in Birmingham and London. While cases have declined in 2025, the virus continues to spread, with over 770 confirmed cases reported so far this year, affecting every region.
In Hampshire, over 90% of children receive both doses of the MMR vaccine by age five. This is above the national average of 83%, but still short of the 95% threshold needed to ensure herd immunity. In London, uptake is especially low, sitting just under 70%, leaving many school-aged children vulnerable to preventable diseases.
A recent drop-in event in Parliament brought together NHS leaders and life sciences experts to highlight efforts to improve vaccination rates across the UK. While much of the discussion centred on increasing flu jab uptake in groups where coverage remains low, such as pregnant women, children, and those with long-term health conditions, the event also stressed the importance of other vaccines, including those given during pregnancy to protect newborns from illnesses like RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), a leading cause of infant hospitalisations.
To put it in perspective, last year flu alone caused around 8,000 deaths in England. Vaccinations are estimated to have prevented between 96,000 and 120,000 hospital admissions. These are not just statistics. They represent lives saved and hospital beds freed.
Improving vaccine uptake takes coordinated effort and public trust. But the benefits are undeniable. If you're invited to book your flu vaccine this year, don’t delay.
