Image Credit: Whoisjohngalt at English Wikipedia
Author: Altay Shaw
Hospitals across the United Kingdom are preparing for one of the worst flu seasons for several years. Data from NHS England shows the flu season has started one month earlier than usual, with three times as many cases when compared to this time last year. The H3N2 subtype of the virus that causes the flu has undergone significant changes compared to the strain used in this year’s flu vaccine, including 7 new mutations, which have triggered the start of the annual flu season more than a month earlier than usual.
The mutations are expected to increase the transmissibility of this year’s flu and may boost the virus’s spread. Speaking with the BBC, Prof. Nicola Lewis, the director of the World Influenza Centre at the Francis Crick Institute, stated that the R number is expected to be around 1.4. This means for every 100 people infected with flu, a further 140 individuals would be expected to be infected as well.
With concerns over younger populations being affected by the virus, further worries are now focused on the elderly population, who are particularly susceptible to it. This is set to drive admission numbers higher across the country, with specific concern for the elderly, as the government suggests that over 5 million people could miss out on their vaccine.
The threat has led to the NHS declaring an SOS, with the chief nurse warning that everyone should be protected. NHS managers have also increased efforts for all working groups in hospitals to ensure their staff are vaccinated, with at-risk groups being given priority in the communities with the aim of reducing longer-term hospital stays. This comes as the number of healthcare workers getting vaccinated dropped from 74% in 2019-2020, to just 37.8% in 2024-25.
Speaking with the Guardian, Elaine Clancy, the group chief nursing officer for St George’s, Epsom and St Helier university hospitals, stated that ““Last flu season was particularly nasty and we’re very concerned that this year could be even worse … We’re preparing for a spike of flu on to our wards.”
Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) suggests that while there is good protection provided by the current vaccines, the ones available this year are less effective at blocking infections with this particular strain. In England, the vaccine effectiveness against hospital admission is 70-75% in children and 30-40% in adults.
Commenting for the British Medical Journal, Jamie Lopez Bernal, consultant epidemiologist for immunisation at the UKHSA, said, “These results provide reassuring evidence that this season’s flu vaccines currently offer important protection to children and adults… We strongly encourage all those eligible to get vaccinated against flu as soon as possible—it remains our best defence against serious illness.”
If you have been struggling to find a clinic that can provide a flu vaccine this season, visit the NHS website, where you can find additional information and your nearest providers.
kinesismagazine.com 