Overview
- UKHSA surveillance shows an unusually early rise in influenza with hospital admissions increasing and cases highest in school-age children.
- Experts report a drifted H3N2 strain with seven mutations detected in June that may partly evade existing immunity and could become dominant.
- Public health leaders warn this could be one of the worst flu seasons in a decade, with risks concentrated in older adults and clinically vulnerable groups.
- UKHSA says vaccines are still expected to reduce severe illness and hospitalisation even with a drifted subtype circulating.
- NHS trusts are preparing for added winter pressure and officials are urging eligible people to get vaccinated now, noting it takes up to 14 days to offer protection.