Millions urged to act NOW to protect against Christmas ‘quad-demic’ – as 1 in 4 sick with flu
MILLIONS have been urged to protect themselves a “tidal wave” of flu and winter bugs in the days before Christmas.
Eligible patients only have a few more days to book their flu and Covid-19 vaccines, NHS bosses warned.
The number of people nabbing slots through the NHS’s national booking system more than doubled – from 9,452 on Wednesday last week to 21,144 on Thursday – following warnings of massive flu surge swamping hospitals.
There was a 70 per cent surge in hospital cases of flu in England in just seven days, the NHS said.
About 1,861 patients with flu were in hospital every day – up from 1,099 in the previous week and three and a half times higher than the same time last year.
Surveillance data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also showed one in four tests done on Brits of all ages with coughs and colds tested positive for flu.
Health bosses renewed their pleas for eligible Brits to get vaccinated “without delay” to avoid “festive flu”.
It comes after weeks of warnings about about a “quad-demic” of converging winter illnesses – flu, Covid-19, cold-causing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and norovirus.
UKHSA’s most recent report showed cases of Covid and RSV – which causes colds and serious lung infections – stabilising, while flu and vomiting bug infections surged in the weeks before Christmas.
Eligible patients who haven’t done so already have until the end of the day on Thursday, December 19, to book their free Covid-19 and flu jabs.
This includes toddlers, school children, pregnant people and those aged 65 and over.
They can nab a vaccination slot through the NHS App, NHS website or by calling 119.
Patients can also book appointments directly with their local GP practice.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: “We’re pleased to have seen bookings for flu and COVID-19 jabs surge by 124 per cent following worrying figures published about a tidal wave of seasonal viruses affecting hospitals.
“The NHS has plans in place to manage additional demand over the busy winter period but a sharp increase in flu and Covid-19 patients needing hospital care will cause significant challenges.
“Thousands of extra people came forward for their winter jabs to help them stay healthy, but we still need thousands more to do the same.
“I’d urge anyone eligible who hasn’t made an appointment to get one booked or risk having to spend the festive season in bed – or, worse still, in a hospital bed.”
It is still possible to book your vaccinations after 19 December through local NHS vaccination services, like pharmacies or walk-in sites.
But there will be fewer Covid-19 appointments and you may need to travel further.
Possible peak to come
According the NHS, flu season usually peaks in December and January.
The surging number of flu cases harkens back to last Christmas, when numbers started to ramp up before the festive period.
Andrew Cai, UK and Ireland medical Director for flu vaccine manufacturer CSL Seqirus, said: “Last year we saw a sudden increase in the number of people having to be hospitalised, due to a flu peak in the week leading up to Christmas and then again at the end of January.
Who is eligible for free Covid, flu and RSV vaccines?
In line with JCVI advice, those eligible for a flu vaccine this year include:
From October 3:
- Those aged 65 years and over
- Those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book)
- Those at serious risk, including those with a BMI over 40, diabetes, heart and breathing conditions
- Those in long-stay residential care homes
- Carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
- Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
- Frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer-led occupational health scheme – including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers
- Those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets, such as Personal Assistants.
From September 1:
- Pregnant women
- All children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024
- Primary school-aged children (from Reception to Year 6)
- Secondary school-aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11)
- All children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years
Those eligible for an autumn Covid booster are:
- Residents in a care home for older adults
- All adults aged 65 years and over
- Persons aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as defined in the Green Book, including pregnant women
- Frontline health and social care workers and staff in care homes for older adults
Those eligible for an RSV vaccine are:
- Pregnant people from 28 weeks onwards
- People aged 75 to 79
“It’s important to remember that anybody is at risk of an exacerbation of chronic illnesses from the flu.
“A flu vaccine can prevent influenza and reduce the risk of poor health.”
A jab can give people vital protection against serious illnesses and ending up in hospital during the busy winter months.
Children will usually usually given to children as a quick and painless spray up the nose – no injection needed – unless your kid can’t have porcine gelatine in medical products.
Who’s most at risk?
Amid a surge in people booking in their flu jabs last week, the charity Asthma + Lung UK said there’s been a five per cent drop in the number of “at risk” people being vaccinated against flu compared to this time last year.
This includes people with lung conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Emma Rubach, head of health advice at the charity, said: “It is worrying that flu levels are rising and makes it more crucial that people with lung conditions protect themselves by getting their free flu vaccine if they are eligible.
“This winter, millions of people with lung conditions face a triple threat of flu, Covid-19 and RSV.
“For some people with lung conditions, being exposed to any of these, or a combination, can cause a flare-up of symptoms and make them more vulnerable to illnesses.
“For those with asthma, being exposed to a trigger like flu could potentially lead to a life-threatening asthma attack, or in the case of COPD, a worsening of symptoms which can lead to hospitalisation.
“Because of these risks, Asthma + Lung UK is urging people with lung conditions to get their flu jab and any other winter vaccinations they might be entitled to, to help them stay well this winter.”
In the UK, 7.2 million people have asthma and 1.4 million people are living with COPD.
How to book your seasonal jabs
Up until December 19, you can book your flu and Covid-19 jabs through:
- The NHS App
- The NHS website
- Calling 119
- Your local GP practice
It’ss still possible to book your vaccinations after 19 December through local NHS vaccination services, like pharmacies or walk-in sites, but there will be fewer slots available.
A survey conducted by the charity suggests that 80 per cent of those with asthma and 68 per cent of people with COPD reported that colds and flu were triggers for their condition.
Asthma or COPD sufferers are also are seven times more likely to die if they catch flu compared to healthy adults.
Emma added: “We also want people with asthma and COPD to make sure they are taking their medicines as prescribed, including using their preventer inhaler daily even when they feel well, as this builds up protection in their airways over time, and carrying their reliever inhaler with them. It is also a good idea to avoid contact with people who have cold or flu symptoms.”
Asthma + Lung gave the following tips to reduce the risk of catching the flu:
- Wash your hands frequently
- Avoid sharing towels, cups or other household items with someone who may have the virus
- Try not to touch your eyes or nose
- Look after yourself by getting plenty of sleep and trying to reduce your stress levels
- Get the flu vaccine. If you have a preventer inhaler, or you have been admitted to hospital because of your asthma, you can get the flu jab on the NHS.
Which cold and flu remedies actually work?
Isabel Shaw, health reporter, put nine well-known cold and flu remedies to the test when she was struck down with the lurgy.
Over a week, she tested products that targeted all symptoms associated with cold and flu, as well as treatments that only aimed to get rid of specific issues.
These included:
- Hot honey and lemon
- Steam inhalation and Vicks Vaporub
- Echinacea
- Chicken soup
- A spicy curry
- Beechams All-in-One Oral Solution
- Strepsils
- Lemsip Max
- Sudafed Blocked Nose Spray
She took into account pain reduction, and how quickly and for how long they worked.
Read her full verdicts here.