England's chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, has warned that preventing and managing infections in older adults is often 'hit and miss', contrasting it with the systematic approach used for children. In his annual report for 2025, Whitty called for more research into infections among the elderly, a growing demographic.
Data from 2023 shows the majority of deaths from infectious diseases in England occurred in older adults, primarily from respiratory infections or Covid. Whitty highlighted that even 'moderately important' infections like cellulitis can severely impact quality of life, leading to social isolation. He also noted increased risks of stroke and heart problems following infections, as well as links to delirium and dementia.
Whitty urged individuals to take protective actions such as hand-washing, vaccination, and avoiding visits when ill. While cautioning against overprescribing antibiotics due to antimicrobial resistance, he argued that the threshold for prescribing should be lower for older people given the higher risk of sepsis.
The report also warns that HPV vaccination rates must be maintained to eliminate cervical cancer, and highlights declining vaccine uptake among pregnant women and children, especially in London and deprived areas. Whitty dismissed claims that the UK is becoming vaccine-sceptical, attributing the drop to practical barriers.
Imported infections like malaria have risen over the past decade, and Whitty stressed the need to maintain the UK's expertise in infectious diseases. He described pandemics as 'entirely predictable' and urged sustained capacity to prevent and respond to outbreaks.
