Urgent warning to all parents as flu cases soar – amid fears of high hospitalisations in young
CASES of kids being hospitalised with flu have surged, prompting calls from the UK Government to get kids immunised.
The season has hit earlier than usual as experts believe immunity is low following the global Covid lockdowns.
Dr Dame Jenny Harries, of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), urged parents to make sure their kids have their flu nasal spray ahead of what said could be a 'twindemic' of flu and Covid this winter.
Flu cases are already higher than usual for this time of year and are expected to soar in the coming weeks.
Cases of flu in England and Wales have risen by five per cent in the week ending October 27 compared with with previous week.
The biggest increase in cases, of 12 per cent has been seen among five to 14 year olds.
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"The difficult thing is that we can’t expect anything, we should be anxious about it and I think that’s exactly what we should be," she explained.
“The word ‘twindemic’ is not a guaranteed position for this winter but it’s one that we should be reasonably planning for."
The number of people being hospitalised with flu is also going up among children and the elderly, according to the UKHSA.
Hospitalisation rates for flu are highest in those aged 0-4 at 3.19 per 100,000 people.
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Dr Conall Watson of UKHSA, said "Already this year a small number of young children have needed intensive care."
“Hospital admission rates for flu have increased in recent weeks and remain highest in those under five.
It is difficult to predict the severity of flu each winter so its unclear how bad the wave the UK might be.
Experts refer to the flu season in Australia to make predictions, where there are high case rates and hospital admissions for flu among youngsters.
"In Australia what they saw was an H3N2 (flu) wave, it came earlier in the season than it would normally… a couple of months earlier.
“It left large numbers of children in hospital and there were very high rates in children.
“Of course, many of those younger children have not previously been exposed during periods where there would be normal socialising," she said.
However, she said we cannot predict the "exact timing" of the potential surge.
"It could be quite possible to have both (flu and Covid) rising at the same time; it could be that we have one peak followed by another, which would put substantial pressure on health services; and we might see slightly unusual patterns.
"For example in younger children, when we tend to think of flu predominantly affecting older individuals," she added.
Dr Dame Jenny said she wanted to "ensure" that younger children at infant school and preschool, and some of the younger ages in secondary school, are "coming forward for nasal flu vaccinations as we approached winter."
What are the symptoms of flu?
The symptoms of flu are very similar to those of a very bad cold.
The NHS says this includes a suffer high temperature of 38C or more.
A high temperature had previously been a symptom of Covid, but the experts said that this is less likely with the Omicron strain.
You will also experience body aches and a dry cough.
You may also have difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite and feeling or being sick.
You are less likely to experience these with a cold or the Omicron strain.
So when it comes to spotting the difference between flu and Covid, it should be straight forward.
“But really importantly – the group that somehow we never quite manage to support into getting the vaccination – are the middle age group with underlying conditions," she added.
Commenting on the new flu figures, GP, Dr Nikki Kanani said: “Yesterday I joined over 11 million people who have got their autumn booster ahead of winter alongside my flu vaccination.
“I’ve seen first-hand the enthusiasm from the public for both vaccines this winter, and with over 9,000 covid positive patients currently in hospital, its vital people come forward without delay.
“Everybody who is eligible for either an autumn booster or flu vaccine can now get one, so come forward today to give yourself the best protection on offer this winter.”
Around 33 million people in England are eligible for a free flu vaccine this year, including all primary-age and some secondary-age children, who will be offered the nasal spray.
GPs are also inviting children aged two and three years old (as of August 31) for the nasal spray vaccine.
The latest data suggests that 12-13 per cent of two and three year olds have so far taken up the offer of a flu nasal spray.
Meanwhile, cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have increased in the UK in recent weeks, especially among the youngest, most vulnerable age group.
According to the UKHSA, there has been anin cases among under 5's during the week ending October 16, compared to the previous week.
And the figures show there has been a three per cent rise across all ages.
RSV cases are higher than typical for this time of year, as are cases of other bugs, including flu.
That’s because Covid lockdowns, in which kids stayed at home, prevented RSV from circulating as it usually would.
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Immunity to various bugs among children, and adults, was low when the UK came out of lockdowns last year.
Scientists warned of a so-called 'swarm' of three Omicron strains that could pose a threat this winter.