Overview
- UKHSA reports an earlier rise in flu, with weekly mean positivity up to 6.1% from 5% and hospitalisations increasing to 1.73 per 100,000 from 1.29, driven largely by infections in children.
- NHS England is urging eligible people to get flu and, where appropriate, seasonal COVID vaccines without delay.
- Access is being expanded through school catch-ups and community pop-ups over half-term, including sessions at libraries, sports halls, fire stations and other local venues.
- More than 10 million vaccinations have been delivered so far, including nearly 1.5 million school-age children and over 300,000 eligible two and three year olds.
- Hospitals report rising respiratory presentations and some increases in COVID cases, while experts caution that an early start does not predict a severe season but can reduce protection if uptake lags.