Vulnerable people in the UK are missing out on vital Winter vaccines

As autumn is well and truly in full swing now, influenza (flu), coughs and colds are likely hitting households across the UK.

However, new figures reveal that almost a third (32%) of those most at risk are not aware of the vaccines they could be entitled to. Perhaps more concerningly, one in six adults with a high-risk condition are undecided or don’t plan on getting a respiratory vaccine this autumn and winter.

A poll of 3,000 adults, 30% of whom have conditions like respiratory disease, diabetes and morbid obesity (BMI over 40), found that a quarter (26%) don’t think they need a respiratory vaccine, despite their underlying medical conditions. What’s more, over 2 in 10 (21%) of these don’t think they work. 

This comes following recent data from the UK Health Security Agency which highlighted that there had been 18,000 flu related deaths in the past two winters despite last winter being a relatively mild flu season. 

There has been a decline in the flu vaccine uptake rates across all eligibility groups in England compared with the previous year. While uptake in older people last year remained high, only 4 in 10 (41%) people with long-term health conditions, just over 4 in 10 (44%) 2- and 3-year-olds, and just 1 in 3 pregnant women received the flu vaccine.

While over half (52%) of all those with a high-risk condition are worried about contracting an illness like flu or COVID-19 in the coming months, 32% are either unsure or unaware about what vaccinations they are eligible for.

When it comes to those living with obesity, the research revealed 2 in 5 (40%) are either unsure or unaware about what vaccinations they are entitled to from the health service. Less than a quarter (24%) of all adults know that those living with a BMI of over 40 are eligible for a respiratory vaccine on the NHS.

The ‘Stay on Track’ campaign developed by Moderna in partnership with the charity Obesity UK, aims to raise awareness of winter illness, and the preventative steps people can take to stay healthy during the colder months.

For more information about winter vaccinations and winter health, visit the NHS website.

About the research
To support the Stay on Track campaign, Moderna commissioned OnePoll to survey 3,000 UK adults (nationally representative on the basis of age, gender and region). 30% of the sample (n=891) described themselves as living with a long-term health condition. 4% of the sample (n=114) described themselves as living with morbid obesity. The research was carried out from 17th – 23rd September 2024.

About NHS winter vaccination
Each year the NHS runs vaccination campaigns for people at increased risk from flu and COVID-19. 

People may be offered a flu vaccine if they:

• are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2025)
• have certain long-term health conditions
• are pregnant
• live in a care home
• are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer's allowance
• live with someone who has a weakened immune system

Frontline health and social care workers can also get a flu vaccine through their employer.

People may be offered a COVID-19 vaccine if they:

• are aged 65 or over
• are aged 6 months to 64 years and have an increased risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 because of a health condition or treatment
• are pregnant
• live in a care home for older adults

About Moderna
Moderna is a leader in the creation of the field of mRNA medicine. Through the advancement of mRNA technology, Moderna has been working at the intersection of science, technology, and health for more than a decade to develop medicines, including effective COVID-19 vaccines.

Moderna's mRNA platform has enabled the development of therapeutics and vaccines for infectious diseases, immuno-oncology, rare diseases and autoimmune diseases. With a unique culture and a global team driven by the Moderna values and mindsets, Moderna strives to deliver the greatest possible impact to people through mRNA medicines. For more information about Moderna, please visit modernatx.co.uk.