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Cases of influenza are continuing to rise in the UK with pharmacies reporting a “big surge” in people asking about vaccinations, while online pharmacy chain Pharmacy2U has warned that repeat prescription requests could hit a record high in December 2025.
According to the latest UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data, updated on 11 December 2025, flu is currently circulating at ‘medium’ levels in England.
Between 1 and 7 December 2025, hospitalisations for flu stood at 10.05 per 100,000 compared with 8.09 per 100,000 in the previous week.
Commenting on the updated data, Conall Watson, consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, said: “There is still plenty of flu vaccine available to protect those who need it — what’s running out is time to be protected ahead of Christmas.
“While new hospital admission rates for flu are not rising as sharply as last week, admissions are still increasing and GP attendances are rising as we continue to see the impacts of an unusually early season.”
A statement from the Scottish government, also published on 11 December 2025, said: “Flu cases have risen 24% in the past week, with hospital admissions up 15%.”
It also cited figures published by Public Health Scotland showing that there were 986 hospital admissions in the same week; up by 15% from 860 the previous week.
A statement by Public Health Scotland said: “Influenza activity in Scotland increased at a more moderate pace in week 49, although the high activity threshold has now been reached, earlier than previous seasons.”
Neil Gray, Scottish health secretary, commented: “New evidence from Public Health Scotland and early evidence from UKHSA shows that this year’s vaccine does a good job of preventing hospital admissions for the strains currently circulating.”
In Wales, data show that 163 people were admitted to hospital with influenza for the week ending 23 November 2025.
In a statement published alongside latest data, Public Health Wales said that “current activity levels are low, but increasing”.
In a press release published on 9 December 2025, the Welsh government said: “A new flu strain is circulating, with the incidence of confirmed cases in under five-year-olds currently at very high levels.”
Isabel Oliver, chief medical officer for Wales, said: “It is really important that everyone who is eligible, takes up their offer of a free flu vaccine this winter.”
Jasmine Shah, head of pharmacy at the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), said that as of 11 December 2025: “There does not appear to be a general nationwide shortage of flu jabs affecting local independent pharmacies.
“While some primary care providers may have temporarily run out of stock, NPA member pharmacies are telling us they still have good availability and are able to vaccinate patients promptly.”
Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, said: “The sharp rise in flu cases is understandably alarming for patients. Independent pharmacies across the country are reporting a big surge in enquiries about flu vaccinations and treatment.
“The message to patients is clear: don’t panic, but don’t delay. Community pharmacies have stock of both the adult and child flu vaccines. Anybody who hasn’t yet had their own flu vaccine should prioritise popping into their local pharmacy to get protected.”
Meanwhile, a Pharmacy2U analysis of NHS England data, issued by press release on 11 December 2025, has suggested that December could see requests for repeat prescriptions reach a monthly high of 200,000 for the first time.
The pharmacy chain’s extrapolation is based on the fact that, according to data over the past three years (2022-2024), NHS 111 has received an average of 49% more enquiries during the month of December compared with other months.
This — coupled with NHS England data showing that between October 2024 and September 2025, around 1 in 5 (20%) of enquiries made to NHS 111 online were for urgent repeat prescriptions, up 13 percentage points from 1 in 15 (7%) in December 2022 — led Pharmacy2U to predict that the record high will come before December is over.
Phil Day, superintendent pharmacist at Pharmacy2U, said: “The rapid growth of demand for NHS 111 online urgent repeat prescriptions is a sign that patients are embracing digital-first healthcare, but the speed and shape of that growth is concerning.
“Patients order emergency prescriptions when they can’t get a GP appointment, or forget to order in time, and both are particularly problematic at this time of year.
“Reduced opening hours, frequent bank holidays, busy festive schedules and seasonal sicknesses all collide in a perfect storm that puts increased pressure on emergency services. My advice for patients is to order online and in good time; ideally at least seven to ten days before running out.”
