Overview
- Officials say a drifted influenza A(H3N2) subclade K now dominates in England, with activity starting roughly a month earlier than usual.
- Interim UKHSA estimates put vaccine effectiveness at about 70–75% against hospital attendance in children aged 2–17 and 30–40% in adults.
- Paediatric leaders from the RCPCH warn that flu can make previously healthy children seriously ill and urge parents to consent promptly to the school nasal-spray programme.
- For the first time, children aged two to three can get the nasal spray at participating community pharmacies as well as GP surgeries, with local teams also running outreach clinics.
- Despite 13.3 million flu jabs delivered in England, coverage gaps persist, including an estimated two in five care home residents unvaccinated, as hospitals report early seasonal pressure.