People living with long-term health conditions are among those being urged by the NHS to take a key step as concerns around flu continue to grow. Hospital admissions linked to influenza reached 3,140 by the end of last week, marking the highest level ever recorded for this point in the season and an 18% rise compared to the previous seven days.NHS Urges People With Long-Term Conditions To Take Action Amid Flu ConcernsSharing an update on X this afternoon, the NHS said: “Flu can be serious for those at high risk, including children, older adults and people with long-term conditions. 18 million people have had the free NHS flu vaccine, and it’s not too late to get protected. Book via your GP, pharmacy or the NHS App.”Flu Vaccine Eligibility: Why Flu Vaccination MattersFlu vaccines are designed to protect against influenza, which can be dangerous and, in some cases, life-threatening for certain groups. Each autumn or early winter, the NHS rolls out these vaccinations for people who are more likely to develop serious complications if they catch the virus.Flu Vaccine Eligibility: Who Was Eligible From September 1?Based on guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), six main groups became eligible for the flu vaccine from September 1 this year, with another six groups added from October 1.From September 1, eligibility included:Pregnant women All children aged two or three years old on August 31, 2025 Children with specific long-term health conditions, aged six months to under 18 years Primary school children, from reception through Year 6 Secondary school children, from Year 7 to Year 11 All children in clinical risk groups aged six months to under 18 years Flu Vaccine Eligibility: Who became eligible from October 1, 2025?From October 1, 2025, the following groups were also eligible:Everyone aged 65 and over Adults aged 18 to 65 with long-term health conditions Care home residents Carers receiving Carer’s Allowance, or those caring for an elderly or disabled person People living with someone who is immunocompromised Frontline health and social care workers How And Where To Get Vaccinated?The NHS App can be used to check vaccination eligibility. Flu jabs are available through GP practices, selected pharmacies, maternity services, and care homes.The NHS also notes that health and social care workers may be offered the vaccine at their place of work. Flu vaccinations can be given at the same time as other jabs, including COVID-19 and shingles vaccines.Commenting on the recent rise in cases, NHS National Medical Director Professor Meghana Pandit said yesterday: “While some parts of the country will be breathing a sigh of relief with flu cases not rising as quickly as feared, we are nowhere near out of the woods yet.“Combined with the impact of strikes, a stream of winter viruses means many hospitals will be on high alert in the days ahead. But it remains vital that people continue to come forward for NHS care as normal.“If you need urgent help, dial 999 in an emergency, or use NHS 111 for other care needs. And if you are eligible, please come forward for a jab, it’s not too late.”Government Appeals To The PublicHealth and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting also addressed the situation, saying: “Flu continues to put significant strain on the NHS, with record numbers of patients in hospital, and frontline services remaining under enormous pressure. I’m appealing to the public to protect yourself and your loved ones by getting your flu jab.“I want to thank NHS staff who are going above and beyond at the toughest time of year. Thanks to their hard work and careful planning, ambulance handovers are around eight minutes quicker than this time last year.”