Health officials have issued a renewed appeal for anyone eligible for a flu jab to get vaccinated as soon as possible, warning that cases are likely to rise further as the festive period approaches.
Flu continues to spread at levels normally not witnessed until closer to Christmas, with a new variant causing this “unusually early start” to the season. Health authorities have issued a fresh plea for all those eligible for a flu vaccination to get jabbed immediately, cautioning that infections are expected to climb further as the holiday period draws near.
Hospital admission rates for flu in England reached 3.9 per 100,000 people last week, remaining virtually static from the previous week’s figure of 4.0, according to figures released by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
Whilst this remains beneath the peaks witnessed in recent years, it represents an admission rate typically not observed until December.
At the same point in 2024, the rate was just 1.2 per 100,000 people, whilst in 2023 it stood at 0.4 and in 2022 – which became the worst flu season for a decade – it was 1.7. UKHSA confirmed that a new flu variant is behind the early spike in cases.
The “drifted” influenza A(H3N2) strain, now also referred to as subclade K, is currently the dominant infection across England.
Hospital admission figures are at their highest amongst those aged 85 and above, at 16.2 per 100,000 people – rising from the previous week’s 13.4; children aged four and under at 10.4 (falling from 13.1); and those aged 75 to 84 at 9.8 (dropping from 11.6).
England recorded 394 fresh hospital admissions for flu last week, declining from 466 the week before but increasing from 302 a fortnight prior. Flu positivity rates have risen week on week, with an average of 11.9% of tests on hospital patients returning positive results, up from 10.9%.
Dr Conall Watson, UKHSA consultant epidemiologist, said: “Flu continues to increase overall, despite the half-term break slowing transmission temporarily.
“Today we’re issuing a further vaccine call to arms in our fight against flu.
“This upward trend reinforces the importance of vaccination for anyone eligible, especially as we head into a busy period with greater indoor mixing, when we typically see flu cases going up.
“Analysis shows children and adults are already receiving strong protection from this year’s flu vaccines and I encourage anyone eligible to book their vaccination appointment sooner rather than later.”
Flu vaccinations are offered to everyone aged 65 and over; those under 65 in clinical risk groups; care home residents and carers; pregnant women; close contacts of immunocompromised individuals; frontline health and social care workers; and children.
Bookings and walk-in sessions are accessible at local pharmacies, GP surgeries and community clinic drop-in centres nationwide.
Parents should fill out their child’s vaccination consent forms for schools, or arrange an appointment for two to three year olds, to ensure their child receives flu protection before the Christmas period.
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