Fears of Deadly Flu Surge After Doctors' Strike
Sir Jim Mackey, chief executive of NHS England, warned that a particularly severe flu season is expected just as the NHS recovers from a five-day strike by resident doctors. The health service faces its toughest winter yet, with an early flu outbreak predicted to kill thousands of patients.
This surge would complicate recovery efforts and strain hospitals, which are expected to be at full capacity from December through March.
NHS Urges Flu Vaccination
In response, the NHS issued an urgent appeal for people to get their flu jab next week to ensure protection before the wave hits later this month. This warning follows Australia’s worst flu season on record, often seen as a reliable indicator of trends in the UK.
Early Rise in Hospital Admissions
Hospital admissions for flu in England have risen sharply by 60% in the past week, increasing from 251 to 422 cases. This rate is unusually high for this time of year and typically would not appear until December.
Health officials note that the early surge is concerning, especially as many at-risk individuals remain unvaccinated. Currently, less than 29% of people with long-term health conditions have received this year’s flu vaccine.
Flu Deaths More Than Double
Recent analysis revealed that flu-related deaths in England more than doubled last year, reaching 7,757 fatalities compared to 3,555 the previous year.
"Hospital admissions for flu have surged by 60 per cent in England over the past week, with the rate already at a level not usually seen until December."
"Less than a third (28.9 per cent) of those with a long-term health condition have received this year’s jab."
"The NHS is braced for its worst ever winter with an early flu outbreak expected to kill thousands of patients."
Author’s summary: The NHS faces a severe early flu outbreak following a doctors' strike, urging urgent vaccinations amid rising cases and doubling flu deaths in England.