# England could face early flu season amid ‘ominous’ signs of NHS pressure

By Andrew McCracken — 2026-10-08

Andrew McCracken, director of external affairs at Asthma + Lung UK, has urged anyone with a chronic respiratory condition to get a free vaccination with health officials saying England could be set for an early flu season.

He said: “Straight on the back of a summer of heatwaves, the flu season has kicked off. This week’s drop in temperatures, combined with figures showing higher than usual hospital admissions for flu, are an early warning for people to get themselves and their loved ones vaccinated.

“People with lung conditions like asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are particularly vulnerable. For them, flu can trigger life-threatening flare ups leading to emergency hospitalisation. Everyone with a chronic respiratory condition in England is now eligible for a free flu jab and we are encouraging them to take it up.

“Last winter fewer than half of people under the age of 65 with chronic respiratory disease had the flu vaccine. We need uptake to be much higher this year, and that will require better communications campaigns to ensure everyone eligible for a vaccine is aware they can get one.”

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