Latest UKHSA data indicates more flu is already circulating this
winter compared to last year.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)'s latest data shows that
hospitalisations as a result of flu have more than doubled in the
past week.
The latest edition of UKHSA's COVID-19, influenza (flu),
RSV and norovirus surveillance bulletin(formally Weekly
Winter Briefing) shows that hospitalisations jumped to 3.96 per
100,000 this week, compared with 1.78 per 100,000 in the previous
week's report.
The percentage of people with respiratory symptoms who tested
positive for flu increased from 6.6% last week to 11.1% this
week, according to data from the Respiratory DataMart
surveillance system.
Flu is now circulating at a higher rate than the same week last
year when positivity was 2.3%. This is leading UKHSA experts to
urge those who are still eligible for vaccination to come forward
as soon as possible, before the NHS Online
Booking system closes on 20 December.
Vaccine uptake data indicates that 36% of those under 65 years in
a clinical risk group, 31.9% of pregnant women and 71.4% of all
those aged 65 years and over have been vaccinated so far this
season – a lower percentage compared to the same time last year.
Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Advisor at UKHSA, said:
It's clear that unless more of those eligible to receive a flu
vaccine come forward to receive their flu vaccine, we are likely
to see more cases of flu, and more hospitalisations and deaths,
than we saw last year.
It is still early in the season, so there is still time to change
the trajectory and reduce the impact of flu in our communities in
time for Christmas, but time is running out. It's vital
that those eligible who have still not been vaccinated
come forward as soon as possible before the NHS booking
system closes on 20 December – not just to protect
themselves, but protect their families and friends too.
The UKHSA COVID-19, influenza (flu), RSV and norovirus
surveillance bulletin also showed an increase in Respiratory
Syncytial Virus (RSV) cases, while COVID-19 continued to
circulate at low levels.
Vaccination against RSV is being offered for the first time this
year to anyone who is 28 or more weeks pregnant, along with
people aged 75-79 years.
The flu, COVID-19 and RSV
surveillance report has been published. The norovirus surveillance
report has been published.
