Vaccination inspired for eligible teams as flu circumstances spike

All these eligible for the flu vaccine are being urged to return ahead because the UK Well being Safety Company (UKHSA) revealed information exhibiting a major improve within the variety of recorded flu circumstances.

The most recent UKHSA information additionally exhibits there was a rise in emergency division flu attendances and hospital admissions within the final week.

Up to now this 12 months, flu vaccine uptake in eligible teams is much like the final couple of years, though there’s a specific want for pre-schoolers, pregnant ladies and people within the well being and social care workforces to take up the provide.

From 4 to 10 December 2023, the UKHSA nationwide influenza and COVID-19 surveillance report confirmed that:

• there was a notable improve in influenza positivity to five.6%, up from 2.4% within the earlier week, primarily based on information from Respiratory DataMart
• main care surveillance indicated an increase in influenza-like-illness (ILI) consultations to five.3 per 100,000, in comparison with 4.6 per 100,000 within the earlier week
• influenza hospitalisations elevated, together with an increase in emergency division attendances throughout the nation. There was additionally an uptick in intensive care unit (ICU) or excessive dependency unit (HDU) admissions, with 35 new admissions in week 49
• weekly influenza vaccine uptake for the 2023 to 2024 season confirmed greater charges for these aged 2 years, comparable charges for these aged 3 years and decrease charges for these aged 65 years and over, pregnant ladies, and people beneath 65 years in medical danger teams in comparison with the equal week within the earlier season (2022 to 2023)

These aged 2 and three years are eligible for nasal spray flu vaccines, with dad and mom and guardians additionally urged to ebook appointments to make sure the youthful age group is protected.

With each flu and COVID-19 circumstances each circulating this winter, additionally it is important all these eligible get each vaccines as quickly as doable.

As a result of improve in ranges of flu circulating in the neighborhood, UKHSA has really useful that it’s now applicable for antiviral medicines to be prescribed in main care settings.

These eligible for antivirals if they’ve flu embrace sufferers in medical at-risk teams in addition to any who’re liable to extreme sickness and issues from flu if not handled. This consists of folks in these teams who current with signs of flu and people who have been uncovered to flu-like sicknesses from somebody they reside with, together with residents of care houses.

As has occurred in flu seasons earlier than the pandemic, following an UKHSA suggestion, the Chief Medical Officer along with the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer have issued an alert to the NHS notifying the healthcare system that antiviral medicines can now be prescribed and equipped for circumstances of group acquired influenza.

Dr Mary Ramsay, Director for Immunisation and Programmes at UKHSA, stated:

Flu ranges are on the rise, so get your vaccine now to just be sure you are Winter Robust, and earlier than pharmacies and surgical procedures start to shut for the Christmas interval. Pregnant ladies, their unborn infants and people in medical danger teams are at greater danger of complication from flu. Taking on each the flu and COVID-19 vaccines gives the perfect safety for each pregnant ladies and their child, decreasing the chance of extreme issues, intensive care wants, stillbirth, and prematurity.

If you’re the mum or dad of a kid aged 2 or 3 years, remember that also they are eligible for the flu vaccine and this may be booked through your GP – the nasal spray will assist forestall hospitalisations, cut back the unfold of flu in the neighborhood and keep away from you having to juggle a sick youngster with work and different commitments.  

The NHS nationwide reserving system is closed. However eligible individuals can nonetheless proceed to talk to their GP, or alternatively a neighborhood pharmacist about getting their vaccination.

Flu antivirals are efficient in serving to to maintain folks out of hospital and stopping the virus spreading to different extra susceptible family and members of the family. Now that we’re seeing flu growing it is necessary that GPs think about the opportunity of flu in respiratory sufferers and the usage of antivirals in step with nationwide steering, significantly if they’ve dominated out COVID-19.

You may assist cut back the unfold of those infections by avoiding mixing with others the place doable when exhibiting indicators of a respiratory sickness like flu and COVID-19, significantly those that are extra susceptible.”

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Thomas Waite stated:

The most recent information signifies the flu season could be very a lot underway and COVID-19 infections are growing.

The usage of antivirals in opposition to flu in main care will assist defend probably the most susceptible over the winter. If you’re eligible and haven’t managed to get vaccinated but, now’s the time.”

Well being Minister Maria Caulfield stated:

Authorizing the usage of antivirals signifies that flu is reaching extra critical ranges so it can be crucial that we take care. I would encourage anybody eligible who’s but to return ahead for the vaccine to ebook an appointment and get protected as quickly as doable.

These further instruments will assist us relieve the strain on our NHS as they address the busy Christmas and New Yr durations and can present additional safety not only for you but in addition on your family members.”

The alert regarding flu antiviral drugs has been issued to main care settings together with GPs and group pharmacies in England.

The Division of Well being and Social Care continues to work intently with the producers of antiviral medicines, used within the therapy of flu, to watch shares and make sure that there are ample provides of those medicines out there to satisfy UK demand.