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."

It takes about two weeks following vaccination to build up the maximum defences against the viruses, so it’s important to book in as soon as you can – not just to protect yourselves, but to protect your families and friends too.

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.

Vaccination offers the best defence against these diseases, and now is the time to get protected before Christmas, so it is vital that those eligible for their flu and COVID-19 vaccines who have still not been vaccinated come forward as soon as possible before the NHS booking system closes on 19 December.