The UK is facing its most severe flu season in decades, experts have warned, after figures revealed that flu deaths in England more than doubled last winter. According to UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) estimates, 7,757 people died from flu last winter compared with 3,555 the previous year, while child deaths involving flu rose from 34 to 53.
The flu season started unusually early in October, driving up hospital admissions, with cases highest among children aged five to 14. The warning follows Australia's biggest flu season on record, often seen as a predictor for the UK. NHS leaders have issued a 'flu jab SOS', urging eligible people to get vaccinated.
Dr Suzanna McDonald, national lead for the influenza programme at UKHSA, said: 'Flu has hit early this year and will only spread in the coming weeks. Many people think they have flu when they only have a bad cold. If you get flu, it is nasty, and for some more vulnerable, it can be deadly.' She urged those eligible to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Elaine Clancy, chief nursing officer at St George's, Epsom and St Helier hospitals, said: 'The last flu season was particularly nasty, and we're very concerned that this year could be even worse – we're preparing for a spike of flu onto our wards. We see people dying every year from flu, and sadly thousands more will likely die this year.'
NHS England is making 2.4 million vaccination slots available next week, enough to vaccinate the whole of Greater Manchester or Botswana. Duncan Burton, chief nursing officer for England, said: 'With just weeks left to ensure best protection against the worst of the flu season, we are issuing an urgent SOS to the eligible people who have yet to get jabbed this year.'
Flu vaccines are available for those aged 65 and over, under-65s in clinical risk groups, pregnant women, care-home residents, carers, close contacts of immunosuppressed people, frontline social care workers, and health and social care staff, as well as children. Public health minister Ashley Dalton said: 'Vaccination is the best form of defence against flu – particularly for the most vulnerable.'
