Overview
- A drifted A(H3N2) subclade K has become the dominant virus in the UK, driving an unusually early and intense flu season, according to UKHSA.
- An average of 1,717 flu patients were in English hospitals each day last week, up 56% on the same week in 2024, with 69 in critical care, NHS data show.
- Early UKHSA estimates indicate vaccine effectiveness of about 70–75% against hospital attendance in children aged 2–17 and 30–40% in adults.
- The NHS issued nationwide guidance urging people who are unwell to stay at home, cover their mouth and nose, practice hand hygiene and get vaccinated if eligible.
- Uptake remains below benchmarks (for example, about 70% in over-65s and ~41–42% in several risk groups as of 30 November), and NHS leaders warn hospitalisations could reach 5,000–8,000 if current trends persist, with resident doctor strikes expected to add pressure.