Getty ImagesThe number of 999 calls in London has risen over the past week, with the London Ambulance Service (LAS) reporting its three busiest days of 2025 in a row.
The service said the 20% increase included an increase in calls from people with difficulty breathing due to viral infections and respiratory illnesses such as flu.
NHS data shows less than half of eligible Londoners have received a free flu vaccine this season.
Experts predict worst flu season in a decade caused by a new type of influenza virus.
Christmas flu
LAS Strategic Commander Lawrence Cowderoy said the service had been preparing for winter for many months, but still urged Londoners to “only call 999 in a life-threatening emergency”.
He said high call rates are “more common around New Year's Eve.”
Work to meet winter needs includes:
- During peak periods, 460 ambulances are on the road
- Using AI
- More phone meetings
- Redirection system in which patients are moved to relieve pressure
Karen Bonner, chief nurse for the London region, said NHS staff were already seeing the impact of the new strain of flu on people presenting to A&E departments with symptoms.
“We know it's a pretty serious flu this year – we know that from seeing it in Australia and other places – so we really want to protect people,” she said.
London Ambulance Call
Thursday, November 27 – 7,356
Friday, November 28 – 7,608
Saturday, November 29 – 7,409
Sunday, November 30 – 6776
(The London Ambulance Service typically receives around 5,500 calls on a “typically busy day”).
Getty ImagesNHS England said 1.7 million people had received a free flu vaccination in London this season – around 46% of those eligible.
Who is eligible for a flu shot??
- pregnant women
- all children aged 2 or 3 years as of August 31, 2025
- children with certain chronic conditions (ages 6 months to 18 years)
- children of primary and secondary school age (from reception to 11th grade)
- all children in clinical risk groups aged 6 months to 18 years
- all aged 65 and over
- people aged 18 to 65 with certain chronic diseases
- nursing home residents
- carers receiving carer's allowance or those who are the primary carer of an elderly or disabled person
- those who live with immunocompromised people
- frontline health and social care workers
