People who are eligible for the free flu vaccine, particularly parents of 2-3 year olds who have been offered the vaccine in the East Midlands are being urged to take it up as soon as possible as latest data published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows rising cases of flu, severe illness and hospitalisations. In the East Midlands the rate of hospitalisations for flu has increased by 1.5% within week 45 to 46, with the highest rate in those under 5 years.
The latest flu vaccine uptake data shows that rates are comparable to those in 2021/22 for this point in the season. Encouragingly though, rates in primary school children are exceeding last year’s uptake levels for the comparable timeframe with over 21% vaccinated nationally an increase of over 7% from last year.
Rates in the over 65’s also remain high, with the highest rate in the East Midlands at 71%. However, health professionals are particularly concerned about low uptake in two to three-year-olds, the lowest figure in the East Midlands at 13.9%, pregnant women at 14.6% and people with long-term health conditions at 39%, who are more vulnerable to serious illness from flu.
Susanne Howes, Consultant in Health Protection at UKHSA East Midlands, said: “As cases of flu are rising we’re urging parents, in particular, not to be caught out as rates of flu are highest in 5-14 year olds currently. This will be a concern for many parents and carers of young children, and we urge them to take up the offer of vaccination for eligible children as soon as possible, including those in the 2-3 year old bracket.
“We are extremely fortunate to have vaccines, which remain our best protection against severe disease and hospitalisation this winter. Most eligible groups have been selected because they are at higher risk of severe illness, including those with long-term health conditions and pregnant women- so please book your jab without delay. It will help protect yourself, your family and help reduce the burden on our health services.
“It’s also vital that we all remain cautious as we head into the festive period when people tend to mix more and the risk of flu increases. If you are feeling unwell, avoid contact with elderly people or those with underlying health conditions.”
Due to the increase in levels of flu circulating in the community, UKHSA has recommended that it is now appropriate for antiviral medicines to be prescribed in primary care settings.
Those eligible for antivirals if they have flu include patients in clinical at-risk groups as well as any who are at risk of severe illness and complications from flu if not treated. This includes people in those groups who present with symptoms of flu and those who have been exposed to flu-like illnesses from someone they live with, including residents of care homes.
Around 33 million people are eligible for the flu this year. All primary school children and some secondary school children are being given the option to have it at school. GP surgeries have also invited children aged two and three years old (age on 31 August) for this nasal spray vaccination at their practices. If you’ve missed the school vaccination appointment then there are NHS Community clinics available.
This year it is easier than ever to get your flu vaccination via your GP, a pharmacy and some maternity services for those that are pregnant.