With record numbers hospitalised, the spread has sparked a plea from health officials for increased vaccine take-up
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Concern is ramping up around the country about the surge in flu cases which has been shutting schools and threatens to overwhelm hospitals and the NHS.
The UK is seeing record numbers of cases for this time of year – the spike coming earlier than previous years.
This includes record numbers of patients – nearing 3,000 – being hospitalised with the virus.
The scenario has led to urgent pleas from health officials to increase take-up of vaccinations.
Everything you need to know about flu surge in UK”Super Flu” Surge: The NHS is reportedly facing a “worst-case scenario” this December due to an unprecedented surge in what is being termed “super flu”, pushing staff to their limits.Record Hospital Numbers: There are currently an average of 2,660 patients per day in hospital beds with flu, which is the highest figure ever recorded for this time of year and a 55% increase from the previous week.Dominant Strain: The current surge is being driven largely by a “drifted” Influenza A strain known as H3N2 (specifically “subclade K”), which is dominating cases across England.Vaccine Effectiveness: Despite concerns about the new strain, health officials confirm that the current vaccine is still providing a good level of protection against severe disease and preventing hospital attendances.Vaccination Call to Action: NHS chiefs have issued a “last chance” urgent plea for eligible people to get vaccinated immediately to ensure immunity kicks in before Christmas Day, with over 17.4 million people vaccinated so far.Impact on Children: Positivity rates are particularly high among children aged 5 to 14 (currently around 45.9%), leading health leaders in areas like Greater Manchester to urge parents to utilize crisis clinics, with one school in the South West, at Bude in Cornwall, having closed for two days due to the spread.Comparison to Previous Years: The current hospital admission figures are significantly higher than the equivalent periods in both 2023 and 2022, with bed occupancy for flu more than 50% higher than this time last year.Regional Pressures: The pressure is being felt acutely across the country, with some areas like the West Midlands declaring critical incidents at hospitals due to the exceptional number of flu patients.