Health officials have urged those at a higher risk of complications from flu to get their vaccine
England is facing an ‘unusually early’ start to flu season(Image: Getty Images)
Health bosses have urged more than five million people in England to get their flu jab after what has been described as an ‘unusually early’ wave of the virus.
The latest figures by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show the percentage of people who tested positive for flu increased to 10.9 per cent last week, compared with 8.2 per cent the previous week and 6.1 per cent the week before that.
It comes as the NHS has issued an urgent ‘flu jab SOS’, urging people to get protected now amid an early wave of the virus. NHS England has warned that cases are already triple what was recorded at the same time last year, with weeks to go before the worst of the flu season typically bites.
It follows the biggest flu season in Australia’s history, which the NHS warns is often an accurate predictor of what is around the corner for England.
And data shows less than a third (28.9 per cent) of people with one or more long-term health conditions have had a flu vaccine.
Last year only 40 per cent of the nine million people under 65 in a clinical risk group received the flu vaccine, leaving more than five million unprotected.
Public health experts have urged all those eligible to get the flu jab(Image: PA)
Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, Deputy Director for Immunisation at UKHSA: “Every year we see many thousands of people with a long-term health condition being seriously ill in hospital from flu and tragically too many dying, when for many this could be potentially prevented by vaccination.
“We are concerned that many people at risk may not know they are eligible. Do not wait or delay, book your vaccine appointment today, because flu is spreading now. If you have a long-term health condition speak with your doctor’s surgery to find out more. With flu hitting earlier this year I can’t stress enough how important it is to get yourself protected as soon as possible.
“And for all other groups at increased risk of severe illness and who are also eligible – people aged 65 and over, pregnant women and 2-and-3 year olds – if you’ve not had the flu vaccine, please do not put if off and regret it later.”
Data published by the health agency suggests there is a far greater risk of flu-related death among some clinical groups compared with the general population, being 40 times more likely for people with a chronic neurological disease, 47 times more likely for those with immunosuppression and 48 times more likely for people with chronic liver disease.
Britain could be heading for its worst flu season on record(Image: PA)
Flu jabs are available for everyone aged 65 and over, those under 65 in clinical risk groups, care home residents and carers, pregnant women, close contacts of those who are immunosuppressed, and frontline health and social care workers as well as children.
With an early flu season starting this year, the UKHSA says getting vaccinated as soon as possible is important before the virus starts circulating more widely.
People with one or more certain long-term health conditions in a clinical risk group who are eligible for flu vaccine include:
chronic respiratory diseasechronic heart disease and vascular diseasechronic kidney diseasechronic liver disease including chronic hepatitischronic neurological disease:including stroke, transient ischaemic attack and conditions in which respiratory function may be compromised due to neurological or neuromuscular diseasediabetes and adrenal insufficiencyimmunosuppression due to disease or treatment:including patients undergoing chemotherapy, radical radiotherapy, solid organ transplant recipients, bone marrow or stem cell transplant recipients, people living with HIV, multiple myeloma or genetic disorders affecting the immune systemasplenia or dysfunction of the spleen, including sickle cell diseasemorbid obesity (class III obesity)
Dr Claire Fuller, NHS National Medical Director, said: “We are urging people with long-term health conditions to book their flu jabs now and make sure they get protected, as they are vulnerable to the virus and it can make them seriously ill.
“NHS teams across the country have been ramping up efforts to make it as easy as possible for the public to get vaccinated at a range of locations including local GP practices, pharmacies, schools, and other community clinics.
“More than 12 million people have had their flu vaccinations providing crucial protection as winter rapidly approaches and cases of flu rise – but it is vital that more people with long-term health conditions come forward.
“You can book quickly and easily on the NHS website, NHS App or by calling 119, and the ‘walk in flu finder’ on the NHS app allows you to find a pharmacy where you can walk in for a vaccine without an appointment.”