Health leaders have issued an urgent warning following the early arrival of a potentially deadly flu virus with cases rising quickly in schools, care homes, and hospitals across the country
Doctors in the North East and North Cumbria are increasingly concerned about rising flu cases, much earlier than expected, due to a new, strong, strain of the virus, causing severe illness among older people.
Dr Neil O’Brien, chief medical officer, NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) said: “The new flu strain this year can cause serious illness, which could be fatal for some older, more vulnerable, people and those who have long-term health conditions.
“Our hospital wards are already seeing more patients with flu than usual, for November, and this could be just the beginning.
"Children are catching and spreading flu at alarmingly high rates which means the virus is likely to keep spreading through families and into older age groups in the weeks ahead.
The flu vaccine is our best defence and will stop many people from becoming seriously ill this winter. If you’re eligible, and have not yet had your vaccine, it is vital that you get protected now.”
Be wise, immunise
The flu vaccine is free for more than 1.7 million people, across the North East and North Cumbria, including:
- Everyone aged 65 and over
- Pregnant women
- Children aged 2 to 3 years old
- Primary and secondary schoolchildren up to Year 11
- Anyone with a long-term health condition such as asthma or diabetes.
- It’s also available to carers, and health and care workers.
More than 950 vaccination sites are available in GP practices, community pharmacies, and local hospitals.
Vaccinations for adults can be booked online at www.nhs.uk, on the NHS App or by calling 119 free of charge.
“Every year we see many people seriously ill in hospital from flu and tragically too many dying – when this could be potentially prevented by a simple vaccination,” added Dr O’Brien
“Please don’t wait – book your vaccine appointment today and protect yourself, because flu is spreading now!’