The National Health Service has already delivered millions of flu vaccines to those most at risk. PA
The National Health Service has already delivered millions of flu vaccines to those most at risk. PA
The National Health Service has already delivered millions of flu vaccines to those most at risk. PA
The National Health Service has already delivered millions of flu vaccines to those most at risk. PA

Health

UK hospital flu cases increase by 50% in a week

The overall level of flu is still estimated to be below the same point three years ago

Soraya Ebrahimi
Soraya Ebrahimi

December 08, 2022

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Hospital cases of influenza in England are up almost 50 per cent in a week as the illness circulates more widely among the population, figures show.

Estimates suggest the age range between 15 and 44 is the most severely affected, with 24.3 per cent of laboratory samples from this group testing positive, according to the UK Health Security Agency.

Samples from all age groups testing positive are at 14.3 per cent in the week to December 4, up from 12.5 per cent the previous week.

Hospital admission rates are highest for those aged between 75 and 84, at 9.3 for every 100,000 people, followed by children under five (6.6) and over-85s (6.5).

The overall level of flu is still estimated to be below the same point three years ago, in the pre-Covid winter of 2019-2020.

But vaccination among pregnant women is at 30.5 per cent, down three percentage points on this stage last year and about four points lower than in 2020-2021.

Staying safe during flu season - in pictures

  • Doctors say children aged six months and above in the UAE should receive a vaccine ahead of the new flu season. Getty Images
    Doctors say children aged six months and above in the UAE should receive a vaccine ahead of the new flu season. Getty Images
  • Nick Webster, a reporter at 'The National', receives a flu jab from nurse Resy Hussain at Prime Hospital in Dubai last year. Pawan Singh / The National
    Nick Webster, a reporter at 'The National', receives a flu jab from nurse Resy Hussain at Prime Hospital in Dubai last year. Pawan Singh / The National
  • In the UAE, flu cases usually increase in October and November, and can continue until June - typically in two waves. Getty Images
    In the UAE, flu cases usually increase in October and November, and can continue until June - typically in two waves. Getty Images
  • The 2022-23 vaccine is slightly different than previous years due to the constantly evolving strain of influenza. It is effective against four different flu viruses.
    The 2022-23 vaccine is slightly different than previous years due to the constantly evolving strain of influenza. It is effective against four different flu viruses.
  • A government flu campaign is launched in the UAE every year to make sure people are vaccinated. Reuters
    A government flu campaign is launched in the UAE every year to make sure people are vaccinated. Reuters

Inoculation among those aged between two and three is eight percentage points lower than last year and just over 14 points below the equivalent level in 2020-2021.

Just over a third (35.4 per cent) of two-year-olds have received a flu vaccine, along with a slightly higher proportion (37.6 per cent) of three-year-olds.

All children aged two and three are eligible for a flu nasal spray vaccine, which is being offered by local GPs.

In total, about 33 million people in England can have free flu vaccination this year, including everyone aged 50 and over, all primary school-aged children and some secondary school-aged children.

The vaccine is also being offered to pregnant women, people in care homes, frontline health and social care staff, carers, those aged six to 49 with a specified health condition, and household contacts of people with weakened immune systems.

Flu vaccination being administered around the world - in pictures

  • Mayor of London Sadiq Khan visiting a health clinic at Pearl Chemist in London to receive his flu vaccination and Covid-19 booster vaccination. PA
    Mayor of London Sadiq Khan visiting a health clinic at Pearl Chemist in London to receive his flu vaccination and Covid-19 booster vaccination. PA
  • A nurse gives a patient a flu shot at Prime Hospital in Dubai. Masks and flu vaccines are contributing to record low numbers of influenza this year. Pawan Singh / The National
    A nurse gives a patient a flu shot at Prime Hospital in Dubai. Masks and flu vaccines are contributing to record low numbers of influenza this year. Pawan Singh / The National
  • German Health Minister Jens Spahn gets an influenza vaccination at a doctor's surgery in Berlin. AFP
    German Health Minister Jens Spahn gets an influenza vaccination at a doctor's surgery in Berlin. AFP
  • Army veteran William Craig waits to see if he has a reaction after receiving a Covid-19 booster vaccine and an influenza vaccine at the Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital in Hines, Illinois. AFP
    Army veteran William Craig waits to see if he has a reaction after receiving a Covid-19 booster vaccine and an influenza vaccine at the Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital in Hines, Illinois. AFP
  • A nurse wearing a face mask injects the vaccine against influenza to a high-risk patient, outdoors to prevent the spread of the coronavirus Covid-19, in Trelleborg, Sweden. AFP
    A nurse wearing a face mask injects the vaccine against influenza to a high-risk patient, outdoors to prevent the spread of the coronavirus Covid-19, in Trelleborg, Sweden. AFP
  • Pharmaceutical companies around the world are racing to produce a vaccine for coronavirus while doctors prepare for a new challenge ahead of influenza season. AFP
    Pharmaceutical companies around the world are racing to produce a vaccine for coronavirus while doctors prepare for a new challenge ahead of influenza season. AFP
  • First Minister for Wales, Mark Drakeford getting his flu vaccination. Welsh Government
    First Minister for Wales, Mark Drakeford getting his flu vaccination. Welsh Government
  • An elderly man receives a coronavirus vaccine booster coinciding with the flu vaccination campaign in Seville. Reuters
    An elderly man receives a coronavirus vaccine booster coinciding with the flu vaccination campaign in Seville. Reuters

“With winter now upon us, we are seeing flu circulating more widely," said Dr Conall Watson, the health agency's consultant epidemiologist.

“The NHS [National Health Service] frontline has already delivered millions of vaccines to those most at risk from what can be a deadly virus.

"With Christmas fast approaching, if you are eligible and have not yet been vaccinated, it can take a fortnight or so for the flu vaccine to provide protection.

“Nobody wants to see their loved ones sick or in hospital with flu over Christmas, so to ensure your family are ready to enjoy the festive season together, don’t hesitate and book your vaccine today.”

Flu and the common cold – in pictures

  • Doctors in the UAE have noticed a sharp rise in coughs and colds in the last month, after a year of hardly any patients suffering from common viruses such as flu. Getty Images
    Doctors in the UAE have noticed a sharp rise in coughs and colds in the last month, after a year of hardly any patients suffering from common viruses such as flu. Getty Images
  • Dr Misha Sahu, a consultant paediatrian at HealthBay Motor City, has noticed her patients are suffering from more common viruses since the spring break. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Dr Misha Sahu, a consultant paediatrian at HealthBay Motor City, has noticed her patients are suffering from more common viruses since the spring break. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Many children are suffering from ear infections, which are commonly caught after swimming.
    Many children are suffering from ear infections, which are commonly caught after swimming.
  • Seasonal temperature changes play a part in increasing the number of people suffering from the cold virus. Getty Images
    Seasonal temperature changes play a part in increasing the number of people suffering from the cold virus. Getty Images
  • Washing your hands properly is one way to avoid catching the common cold, and it is also an important defence against Covid-19.
    Washing your hands properly is one way to avoid catching the common cold, and it is also an important defence against Covid-19.

Figures from NHS England show there were an average of 712 flu cases a day in hospitals last week, up 48 per cent from 482 the previous week.

The figure for the first week of December last year was 31.

Countries recognising Palestine

France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra

 

If you go...

Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.

Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Updated: December 08, 2022, 10:48 PM
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