Almost half of people in employment or education who experienced flu-like symptoms missed work or school, highlighting the significant impact seasonal respiratory illnesses can have on
households, businesses and education, according to new findings published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The research, based on data collected through the UK’s FluSurvey initiative, examined the effects of flu-like illnesses during the 2023–2024 and 2024–2025 winter seasons. More than 68,000 weekly symptom surveys were completed over the two periods, providing insight into illnesses that may not be captured by conventional healthcare surveillance.
The findings reveal that 47% of respondents who were working or studying reported missing work or school because of their symptoms. Most participants said their illness interfered with their everyday activities, while the majority managed their symptoms at home. Around 14% sought assistance from their GP or another healthcare service.
Medication was commonly used to manage symptoms, with painkillers among the most frequently reported treatments.
UKHSA scientists say the results underline the importance of seasonal flu vaccination, both in reducing the risk of severe illness and in limiting the disruption caused by respiratory infections across workplaces and schools.
Dr Becki Green, UKHSA Principal Scientist for Respiratory Viruses, said the findings demonstrate how significantly flu-like illnesses can affect everyday life, with almost half of those in work or education needing time away from their usual activities to recover.
She stressed that vaccination plays an important role in protecting people against serious illness while helping reduce the wider consequences of seasonal flu for the economy, education and employers.
Protecting schoolchildren through vaccination is particularly important, according to the agency. Immunising children early in the flu season can help reduce transmission within schools and households, protecting family members who may face a greater risk of complications, including grandparents and younger siblings.
Vaccination can also help reduce the likelihood that parents will need to take time off work to care for children who become ill.
The research comes as the UK enters another winter respiratory virus season. According to UKHSA’s latest surveillance report, flu activity remains at low levels, with the increase observed in previous weeks having slowed. COVID-19 levels are also reported to be low.
However, health officials caution that current figures cannot reliably predict how respiratory viruses will develop over the coming weeks. UKHSA will continue monitoring flu, COVID-19 and other major respiratory infections throughout the winter.
Dr Jamie Lopez-Bernal, a consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said vaccination remains the most effective defence available against these infections and urged eligible members of the public to arrange their free NHS vaccinations. Parents are also encouraged to ensure their children receive the nasal spray flu vaccine as early as possible.
People can check their eligibility and book a flu vaccination through the NHS website or app, by contacting their GP surgery or by visiting a participating pharmacy.
Alongside vaccination, UKHSA recommends taking straightforward precautions to limit the spread of winter viruses. People experiencing flu-like symptoms should stay at home where possible, practise good hand hygiene and cover their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing. They should also avoid close contact with people who are particularly vulnerable and refrain from visiting at-risk individuals in hospitals and care homes when unwell.
The findings were drawn from FluSurvey, the UK’s longest-running participatory surveillance system. The initiative invites members of the public to report their symptoms each week, helping researchers identify patterns of illness circulating in the community that might otherwise go undetected by healthcare-based monitoring.
Registration is open for the 2026–2027 FluSurvey season. Members of the public can participate by completing a short weekly survey, contributing to the monitoring of flu and other respiratory infections and helping public health authorities better understand the spread of winter illnesses.
