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Written question asked by Gregory Stafford (Conservative) on Tuesday, 16 September 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 October 2025. It was answered by Karin Smyth (Labour) on Thursday, 5 February 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Influenza: Disease Control

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to prepare for potential flu outbreaks in winter 2025-26.

Answer

We have done more than ever to prepare for winter this year with the development and better testing of winter plans. This includes surge capacity and escalation plans for urgent and emergency care.

The flu vaccination programme began on 1 September 2025 for children and pregnant women. Adults aged over 65 years old, those with long term health conditions, and frontline health and social care workers will start from 1 October 2025.

Further details of the plans for this year, including actions to reduce the effects of flu on demand for services, are set out in the Urgent and Emergency Care Plan for 2025/26, which is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/urgent-and-emergency-care-plan-2025-26/

On 16 September, the Secretary of State addressed a gathering of Chief Executives and undertook a joint visit with the NHS England Chief Executive to set out how winter preparations were being strengthened. A further meeting with Chief Executives on 3 November also focused on winter planning.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
77916
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Disease control Influenza
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk