Overview
- UKHSA reports hospital admissions for flu in England rose to 3.8 per 100,000 last week from 2.4 the week before.
- NHS England has released about 2.4 million vaccination appointments and is urging eligible people to book immediately.
- Infections are climbing earliest in school-age children, with official data showing the highest rates in those aged 5 to 14.
- Experts say seven mutations detected in June produced a drifted H3N2 variant that may spread more easily and partly evade prior immunity.
- Officials cite Australia’s very large recent season as a warning and NHS leaders caution that upcoming doctors’ strike action could compound hospital strain.