Flu infections have increased again – with young children worst affected – but the COVID situation is continuing to improve, according to weekly data.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said 12% of five to 14-year-olds in England had flu in the latest week, up from 11% the week before when it nearly trebled from around 4%.
Under-fives had the highest hospitalisation rate, at 3.2 per 100,000 people, up week-on-week from 2.6.
Parents are being urged to get young children vaccinated with the flu nasal spray. It’s being offered to all primary school pupils and will be expanded to some secondary school years later in the season.
Vaccination rates remain low in the youngest groups – just 16% and 17.1% for two and three-year-olds respectively.
Among 15 to 44-year-olds, the latest flu infection rate was 9.6%, and across all ages 5.2% (up from 4.1%).
“Hospital admission rates for flu have increased in recent weeks and remain highest in those under five,” said UKHSA epidemiologist Dr Conall Watson.
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“Already this year a small number of young children have needed intensive care. Please book your pre-schooler in for flu vaccine at your GP surgery as soon as you can.”
The UKHSA has urged all eligible age groups to get a vaccine because COVID restrictions over the last two winters mean people have little natural immunity. About 33 million people in England are eligible.
The coronavirus situation appears to be continuing the improvement reported last week, with most indicators decreasing slightly or remaining stable, officials said.
Hospitalisations decreased from 11.61 per 100,000 people to 10.06; while lab-confirmed cases of COVID fell from 12.8 per 100,000 people to 10.2.
“The ongoing drop in COVID-19 cases and hospitalisation rates is a testament to the continued success of the autumn booster programme,” said Dr Mary Ramsay, UKHSA director of public health programmes.
However, she said it was vital not to become complacent “as cases could rise quickly again throughout the winter and we need to be ready”.
The UKHSA report covers England for the period 17 to 23 October.
