The Newshound

Experts urge over-65s to get flu jabs as hospital admissions already running higher than last four years

Hospital admissions in September have already run higher than in the same month over the last four years, prompting urgent warnings for older people to get vaccinated after UK Health Security Agency figures revealed flu caused 3,798 excess deaths in England last winter. Age UK charity director Caroline Abrahams warned that flu should "never be dismissed as just a bad cold" and urged all eligible older people to take up flu, Covid-19 and RSV jabs this autumn. The vaccination rollout was estimated to have prevented 104,000 hospital admissions and 7,100 further deaths last winter. Vaccine efficacy among adults fell to between 21% and 34%, down from the previous year.

Age UK's Caroline Abrahams called the nearly 4,000 deaths 'a stark reminder' flu kills.

The RSV vaccine proved 82% effective at preventing hospitalisations in adults aged 75 to 79.

Children's flu vaccine effectiveness reached up to 68%, far outstripping the adult rate.

MoreLBCOlder people urged to get flu jab as data shows thousands died last winterSouthend EchoOlder people urged to get flu jab as data shows almost 4,000 deaths last winter - Southend EchoHampshire ChronicleExperts urge older people to get vaccines as flu deaths near 4,000 - Hampshire ChronicleLondon Evening StandardOlder people urged to get flu jabs after 4,000 deaths recorded last winter - London Evening StandardManchester Evening NewsDoctor issues alert to anyone over 65 in England after 4,000 deaths - Manchester Evening NewsThe IndependentOlder Brits urged to get flu vaccine after nearly 4,000 deaths in England last winter
Read today's full feed at The Newshound →