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The NHS has issued an “urgent SOS” as flu is on the rise as kids return to school after half term. Weekly infection data released by the UK Health Security Agency today is expected to confirm a continued surge driven by kids - which experts fear could now move up through older populations. It comes as the head of the NHS warned Britain could face its worst flu season on record this winter. Data from Australia - which is six months ahead of the UK with its flu season - shows infections reached the highest levels since records began in 2001 while schools have closed in Japan due to a flu epidemic. Dr Suzanna McDonald, national lead for the influenza programme at UKHSA, said: "Flu has hit early this year and will only spread in the coming weeks. Many people often think they have flu when they only have a bad cold. If you get flu, it is nasty and for some more vulnerable it can be deadly." Duncan Burton, the Chief Nursing Officer for England, said: “With just weeks left to ensure best protection against the worst of the flu season, we are issuing an urgent SOS to the eligible people who have yet to get jabbed this year. “It is vital that the public use the over 2.4 million available appointments we have running next week to stamp out this early wave of flu cases and help shield themselves ahead of winter, when viruses tend to circulate and the NHS faces increased pressure on its services.” UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) estimates show that deaths from flu in England stood at 7,757 last winter compared to 3,555 the year before. Child deaths involving flu also increased from 34 to 53. At St George's, Epsom and St Helier hospitals, chief nursing officer, Elaine Clancy, said the NHS trust was preparing for a bad winter. She said: "Last flu season was particularly nasty and we're very concerned that this year could be even worse - we're preparing for a spike of flu onto our wards. "We see people dying every year from flu and sadly thousands more will likely this year. I strongly recommend booking your jab now, as it takes up to 14 days to fully kick-in." Australia and Japan have both been hit hard by flu because the main new strain, called H3N2, has mutated to better escape immunity from previous vaccines. This is because it has mutated to be particularly aggressive. Jabs still offer significant protection - and often prevent serious illness - but less so than previous years. Speaking this week, Sir Jim Mackey, chief executive of NHS England, said: "Australia has just endured its worst flu season on record - over 410,000 cases - and all the signs suggest the NHS will face similar challenges in the months ahead. From December through to March, our hospitals will be at capacity." Health officials in Britain had already warned that flu has arrived a month earlier than usual but there are fears not enough eligible people are taking up the offer of the free NHS flu vaccine. The UK Health Security Agency will publish latest weekly flu data at 2pm on Thursday. Separate data released today by NHS England shows 13.3 million flu vaccines have been administered so far this autumn but a significant proportion of eligible groups such as over-65s remain unprotected. Latest data shows two out of five care home residents remain unvaccinated. Parents are being reminded to complete their child’s vaccination consent forms to schools, or to book an appointment for 2 to 3-year-olds, to ensure their child gets protected against flu ahead of the Christmas holidays. Duncan Burton added: “The vaccine is proven to be safe and help prevent those at risk from getting seriously ill and even hospitalised from flu so please check your local pharmacy, book an appointment online or by calling 119, or speak to your GP practice today about your winter flu vaccine.” Flu vaccines are available for everyone aged 65 and over, under 65s in clinical risk groups, pregnant women, care home residents and carers, close contacts of those who are immunosuppressed, frontline social care workers, and health and social care staff as well as children. Covid-19 vaccinations are available to adults aged 75 and over, older adult care home residents, and people who are immunosuppressed. Eligible adults can book an appointment to get their flu vaccine now via at their local pharmacy via the NHS App, GP practice, online at www.nhs.uk/bookflu or by calling 119. You can also use the pharmacy finder to find your nearest walk-in service.
