Flu hospital admissions already running higher than any of the past four Septembers, amid warnings after nearly 4,000 deaths last winter

Early flu season data shows hospital admissions this September are already outpacing the same month across the previous four years, raising alarm among health experts who are urging anyone eligible to take up flu, Covid-19 and RSV vaccines without delay. The UK Health Security Agency's annual report revealed that flu caused 3,798 excess deaths in England last winter, even as vaccination prevented an estimated 7,100 further deaths and 104,000 hospital admissions. Age UK charity director Caroline Abrahams warned that flu should "never be dismissed as just a bad cold" in later life.

Age UK's Caroline Abrahams called on older people to 'not get complacent' and claim every vaccine they are eligible for this autumn.

Overall vaccine efficacy among adults fell to between 21% and 34% last winter, down from the previous year, though children saw stronger protection at 51% to 68%.

The RSV vaccine proved 82% effective at preventing hospitalisations among adults aged 75 to 79, offering fresh hope for the most vulnerable group.