Flu hospitalisations jump 55% in a week with NHS facing ‘worst case scenario’
The NHS is now warning winter viruses are starting to ‘engulf hospitals’
The number of people in hospital in England with flu has jumped by 55 per cent in a week – and is at a record level for this time of year, NHS figures show.
NHS England said the health service is facing a “worst case scenario” December with a surge of “super flu”.
An average of 2,660 flu patients were in hospital each day last week, up from 1,717 the previous week.
At this point last year the number stood at 1,861 patients, while in 2023 it was just 402.
Click here to see if you can get a free flu jab (this will take them to the information below)
Who can get a free NHS flu jab?
The free NHS flu jab is available to people who:
- are aged 65 and over
- are pregnant
- live in a care home
- live with someone with a weakened immune system
- are the main carer for an older or disabled person
- receive a carer’s allowance
- or those who have certain long-term health conditions, including:
- breathing conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or cystic fibrosis
- heart conditions, such as coronary heart disease or heart failure
- chronic kidney disease
- liver disease, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis
- some conditions that affect brain or nerves, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy
- diabetes or Addison’s disease
- a weakened immune system due to a condition such as HIV or AIDS, or due to a treatment such as chemotherapy or steroid medicine
- problems with your spleen, such as sickle cell disease, or if you’ve had your spleen removed
- a learning disability
- being very overweight with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above