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Nearly 4,000 older people died from flu last winter as experts urge over-65s to get jabbed now

Nearly 4,000 deaths in England were linked to flu last winter, new UK Health Security Agency figures reveal, with hospital admissions in September already running higher than in any of the past four years. Age UK charity director Caroline Abrahams warned that flu should "never be dismissed as just a bad cold" and urged every eligible older person to get vaccinated for flu, Covid-19 and RSV this autumn.

The UKHSA annual report found last winter's flu vaccination rollout prevented an estimated 104,000 hospital admissions and 7,100 deaths despite overall vaccine efficacy dropping to between 21% and 34%.

The RSV vaccine proved 82% effective at preventing hospitalisations among adults aged 75 to 79, with children's flu vaccine effectiveness recorded at between 51% and 68%.

Hospital admissions in September have already exceeded the same period in each of the past four years, raising fears of a punishing winter ahead for an already-stretched NHS.

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
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