Key facts
- Flu cases are rising earlier than usual in England.
- UKHSA data shows flu activity in September was higher than in the same period over the past four years.
- Experts recommend vaccination as the best way to blunt the impact of the flu season.
- Free flu vaccines are available for children and those in higher-risk groups.
- The current rise in flu is attributed to cases among young people aged 18 to 24.
- A mix of flu A subtypes H1N1 and H3N2, along with influenza B, is circulating.
Flu cases are emerging earlier than usual in England, prompting experts to emphasize the importance of vaccination, particularly for vulnerable populations. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) noted that while overall flu levels are currently low, various indicators suggest an upward trend.
According to the UKHSA, flu activity throughout September has been higher compared to the same period in the previous four winter seasons, with trends showing an increase since August. Emergency department attendances for influenza-like illness have also surpassed seasonally expected levels.
Sir Andrew Pollard, director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, advised individuals at higher risk due to age or underlying health conditions to get vaccinated promptly, before the peak of transmission. He highlighted that while free vaccines are available for children and at-risk groups, others may access them through their workplace or privately for approximately £20.
Pollard suggested that the timing of flu seasons can vary due to factors like weather, the specific virus strain, population immunity, and behavioral aspects such as close contact frequency. Antonia Ho, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Glasgow, stated that an early rise could signal a more intense season due to a longer transmission period, though onset timing alone does not determine severity.
UKHSA data indicates that the current increase in flu cases is primarily among young people aged 18 to 24, with circulating strains including H1N1 and H3N2. While the H1N1 subtype may have slightly drifted from the vaccine strain, it is too early to assess the impact on vaccine effectiveness. Last winter's vaccination program in England is estimated to have prevented around 100,000 hospital admissions and 7,000 deaths.