The NHS says “it’s now or never” for flu jabs and people should get vaccinated by the end of Wednesday so protection can kick in before Christmas.
England’s top doctor Professor Sir Stephen Powis warned of “skyrocketing” infections as figures showed cases were highest among children aged five to 14.
Hospital admissions for flu are at record levels and up 350% compared to the same time last year.
Sir Stephen said: “It’s now or never for older people and children to get themselves jabbed and protected ahead of any family get-togethers they have planned over the festive period.
“Every Christmas we see far too many older adults and children admitted to hospital because of flu, and the best way to avoid this situation is getting your flu jab if you are eligible.”
More than 27 million jabs have already been administered t for flu, Covid and RSV in England.
It takes around two weeks for the vaccine to take full effect and boost immunity, meaning people should get their jabs by Wednesday if they want to be protected by Christmas Day.
Sir Stephen added: “The flu vaccine is our best defence against winter viruses, and it also helps to reduce pressure on hospitals and hard-working NHS staff who will be working flat out over the Christmas break.
“So I would urge anyone who’s eligible to add booking their flu jab to their list of things to do in the run up to Christmas so they can protect themselves and their families this December.”
The NHS has warned of a potential “quad-demic” of flu, Covid, RSV and norovirus this winter. And the health service is already busier than ever for this time of year.
There were an average of 1,099 people in hospital with flu every day last week compared to 243 in the same week last year – the highest number of cases heading into winter for at least three years.
Professor Susan Hopkins, chief medical Advisor at UKHSA, said: “Unless more of those at risk and eligible for a vaccine come forward, this trend is likely to continue, resulting in more hospitalisations over Christmas and tragically resulting in more deaths than we saw last year over Christmas.
“There is still time to change this trajectory and reduce the spread of flu, but time is running out.”
Covid and flu jabs can be booked through the NHS online booking system, NHS App and 119 phone service until the end of December 19.
Meanwhile, the Health Secretary has urged NHS trust leaders to prioritise patient safety by focusing on improving ambulance response times, addressing handover delays and tackling the longest A&E waits.
Wes Streeting met with NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard and health chiefs from across the country on Monday morning. He said: “This year, we’re seeing record pressures on services as we move into December.
“This winter I want to see patient safety prioritised as we brace ourselves for the coming months. I’m asking trusts to focus on ambulance delays, handovers and the longest A&E waits.
“We’ve already taken immediate action to keep patients safe by ending strikes – meaning this is the first winter in three years without staff on the picket line.”
Ms Pritchard said the health service was “already seeing unprecedented demand going into winter, with flu cases quadrupling, thousands more ambulance callouts and rising pressures causing unacceptable waits for patients.
“Patient safety must be paramount, and speaking to local leaders today, the message was clear: we need every part of the NHS, and social care partners, working together to manage demand and ensure patients with the most urgent needs are prioritised.
“As always, the public have an important part to play in helping NHS staff over winter, by calling 999 and using A&E in an emergency only, while using NHS 111 to access the right support for urgent health needs.”
