Cases of flu rising across the East Midlands with UK Health Security Agency urging public to get vaccinated if eligible

People eligible for the free flu vaccine have been offered one as latest data published by the 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% in the past week, with the highest rate in those under five.

Parents of two-three year olds in particular are urged to make sure their children are vaccinated as soon as possible as rates of flu are highest in children.

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 time frame with over 21% vaccinated nationally an increase of over 7% from last year.

Rates in the over 65s 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 are urging parents, in particular, not to be caught out as rates of flu are highest in five to 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 two to three 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 33m 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 for this nasal spray vaccination at their practices. If you’ve missed the school vaccination appointment then there are NHS Community clinics available.

Flu vaccinations can be booked via your GP, a pharmacy and some maternity services for those that are pregnant.