Health bosses warn ‘time is running out’ to get protected against flu before Christmas
Cold and flu season has hit hard this year(Image: Getty Images)
Health officials are urging people with 10 long-term health conditions to “get protected” against flu before December 11. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says it takes two weeks to develop antibodies for flu after the jab, urging those eligible to book their vaccination as soon as possible.
The alert comes as flu levels soar across the UK. The latest NHS figures show an average of 1,717 patients were in a hospital bed every day last week because of flu – the highest on record for this time of year. Cases were 10 times higher than in the same week in 2023 (160), and more than 50 per cent higher than last year (1,098).
Flu hospitalisations have increased by 63 per cent in the past week, with increased indoors socialising over the coming weeks expected to worsen the spread. The NHS warns it is “bracing for an unprecedented flu wave” after an unusually early start to the season.
The NHS has already delivered almost 17 million flu jabs this season, but officials at the UKHSA warn “time is running out” to get maximum protection against the virus.
Officials are urging those eligible to get the flu jab(Image: PA)
Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA: “With flu and RSV cases sharply increasing in the past week and Christmas just 3 weeks away, now is your last chance if eligible to help get protected before Christmas.
“We expect to see these viruses circulating more widely in the lead up to Christmas and more people getting sick – threatening a potential peak over the festive period and into the New Year.
“Nobody wants anyone in their family, especially young children, to spend Christmas in hospital. The best defence against this is a vaccine, but time is running out as it can take up to 2 weeks from vaccination for your body to build maximum protection.”
Eligible groups are urged to book a GP appointment for their flu jab before Thursday (December 11), which is two weeks before Christmas.
Those who are eligible for the flu vaccine are at most risk of serious complications from flu, including everyone over 65, those who are pregnant, or those with certain long-term health conditions.
Flu infections and hospitalisations are on the rise in the UK(Image: PA)
According to the NHS, the flu vaccine is recommended for people with the following long-term health conditions:
- conditions that affect your breathing, such as asthma (needing a steroid inhaler or tablets), 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 your 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 – a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above
The NHS says to speak to your GP or specialist if you have a health condition and you’re not sure whether you are eligible for the jab.
