People aged 18–64 with long-term health conditions urged to get their flu jab

Health leaders in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin are urging people aged 18 to 64 who live with long-term health conditions to come forward for their free NHS flu vaccination, as the NHS prepares for a challenging winter flu season.

Last year (November 2024 to April 2025), 542 people across a local population of around 500,000 in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin were admitted to hospital with flu-related complications, many of them unvaccinated. That means about 1 in every 1,000 people in the area ended up hospitalised with flu. Of those admitted, 184 were aged 18–64, and 122 (66%) of that group had flu recorded as their primary diagnosis. On average, these younger patients (aged 18-64) stayed in hospital for 7.3 days.

Flu isn’t just an illness that affects older people. Anyone with conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, COPD, or a weakened immune system is at greater risk of becoming seriously unwell with flu. Vaccination remains the most effective way to protect against severe illness and hospitalisation.

The flu jab can reduce the risk of hospitalisation by almost 50% in otherwise healthy adults – and even more for those living with long-term conditions.

How to get your flu jab
Flu vaccines are offered free on the NHS to those most at risk. Eligible people can book an appointment through their GP practice, local pharmacy, or via the national booking service.

If you have a long-term health condition, please come forward for your vaccination. It’s free, quick, and one of the simplest ways to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community this winter.

Dr Lorna Clarson, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, said:
" Every winter, we see people in their 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s admitted to hospital with flu – often those with long-term conditions such as asthma or diabetes that make them more vulnerable.   Flu can be serious for anyone, but especially for people with long-term health conditions.

If you are living with a long-term condition, please come forward and get vaccinated. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones, your colleagues and community around you. As well as helping to keep the pressure off local health services this winter."

Poppy Horrocks from Shrewsbury is 36 and lives with asthma. Every year she makes sure she has her flu vaccine. 

“Having lived with asthma since I was a child, getting my flu jab each year is really important for keeping myself well. This year, it was incredibly quick and easy for all of us, my daughter and I went to a weekend drop-in clinic at our GP practice, and my husband had his done at a local pharmacy.

“With a toddler in nursery, bugs are constantly coming through the door, and my chest simply doesn’t cope well with infections. For us, getting vaccinated is a no-brainer. It gives our whole family a better chance of staying healthy, reduces the risk of serious illness, and helps stop flu from spreading to others.

“It’s not just about protecting myself, it’s about protecting my family, my workplace and the people around me. Flu is miserable, it can knock you off your feet, and for people like me with a long-term condition, it can be much more serious. Having the flu jab means I’m far less likely to end up unwell or missing work, and it gives me that peace of mind every winter.”

Who is eligible?
Those eligible for a free NHS flu jab include:

• All adults aged 65 or over
• People aged 18 to 64 with certain long-term health conditions (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, respiratory conditions)
• Pregnant women
• People living in a care home
• Carers
• Frontline health and social care staff
• Those who are immunocompromised or living with someone who is
• Children aged 2-3 years old, school aged or at clinical risk.

Book your flu jab today and protect yourself this winter. You can find more information about recommended vaccinations at nhs.uk/vaccinations.