A “TIDAL wave” of flu infections has led to a 70 per cent surge in hospital cases in England in just seven days, the NHS has said.
Health chiefs are now pleading with eligible Brits to get vaccinated immediately to avoid “festive flu” before it is “too late”.
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Last week, an average of 1,861 flu patients were in hospital every day, up from 1,099 the previous week – 3.5 times higher than the same time last year.
Medics fear hospitals will struggle to cope with surges of flu alongside Covid, cold virus RSV and the nasty vomiting bug norovirus, all hitting this winter.
Cases of norovirus were up ten per cent on the previous week and 64 per cent on last year.
While 152 children were in hospital with RSV each day – up 42 per cent from this time in 2023.
Health experts warn that this “quad-demic” is stretching NHS resources to its limit.
The risk of catching all four illnesses at once rises sharply at this time of year as people spend more time indoors with friends and family.
Eligible people are being urged to get jabbed.
The NHS provides vaccinations against flu, Covid and RSV.
Over-65s, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions are among those who can get a free vaccination at a pharmacy.
Jabs are also being dished out at Christmas markets, football clubs, and supermarkets, to make them more accessible.
RSV vaccines are recommended during pregnancy and for adults aged 75 to 79.
There’s currently no vaccine to prevent norovirus, but research trials are underway to develop one.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, boss of NHS England, said: “The tidal wave of flu cases and other seasonal viruses hitting hospitals is really concerning for patients and for the NHS – the figures are adding to our ‘quad-demic’ worries.”
He added: “With one week left to book your vaccine, I cannot stress enough the importance of getting booked in to protect yourself against serious illness and to avoid ‘festive flu.'”
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting, said: “With A&Es facing record demand, we are continuing to encourage people to protect themselves, their family, and the NHS by getting vaccinated before it’s too late.”
Who is eligible for free Covid, flu and RSV vaccines?
In line with JCVI advice, those eligible for a flu vaccine this year include:
From October 3:
- Those aged 65 years and over
- Those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book)
- Those at serious risk, including those with a BMI over 40, diabetes, heart and breathing conditions
- Those in long-stay residential care homes
- Carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
- Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
- Frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer-led occupational health scheme – including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers
- Those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets, such as Personal Assistants.
From September 1:
- Pregnant women
- All children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024
- Primary school-aged children (from Reception to Year 6)
- Secondary school-aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11)
- All children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years
Those eligible for an autumn Covid booster are:
- Residents in a care home for older adults
- All adults aged 65 years and over
- Persons aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as defined in the Green Book, including pregnant women
- Frontline health and social care workers and staff in care homes for older adults
Those eligible for an RSV vaccine are:
- Pregnant people from 28 weeks onwards
- People aged 75 to 79
