Warning for parents after rise in hospitalisations for flu in children under 5

Parents are being told to urgently bring their children forward for flu vaccinations as new data reveals the rate of hospitalisation and ICU admission for people with the virus is rising fastest among those under five years old.

New figures published in the UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) National flu and Covid-19 surveillance report show that cases of flu have climbed quickly in the past week, indicating that the season has begun earlier than normal.

According to the UKHSA, vaccination for flu is currently behind last season for pre-schoolers (12.1% from 17.4% in all two-year-olds and 12.8% from 18.6% in all three-year-olds).

It has also fallen behind in pregnant women (12.4% from 15.7%) and under 65s in a clinical risk group (18.2% from 20.7%).

Dr Mary Ramsay, director of public health programmes at the UK Health Security Agency, said: “Our latest data shows early signs of the anticipated threat we expected to face from flu this season.

“We’re urging parents in particular not to be caught out as rates of hospitalisations and ICU admissions are currently rising fastest in children under 5.

“This will be a concern for many parents and carers of young children, and we urge them to take up the offer of vaccination for eligible children as soon as possible.”

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Source: The Independent, 20 October 2022