UK hospitals preparing for once-in-a-decade flu surge this winter

UK hospitals preparing for once-in-a-decade flu surge this winter
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Hospitals across the UK are preparing for a once-in-a-decade flu surge this winter due to a mutated H3N2 flu virus strain spreading rapidly, especially among younger people, The Guardian reported.

This strain, first detected in June and linked to Australia’s worst flu season on record, is more transmissible, with an estimated reproduction number (R) of 1.4, higher than usual. NHS managers are intensifying vaccination efforts for staff and vulnerable groups, expanding emergency care, and treating more patients outside hospitals to ease pressure amid ongoing doctors’ strikes.

Early data indicate current vaccines offer reduced protection against infection but remain effective against severe illness, with vaccine effectiveness ranging from 30-75% depending on age. Experts warn the season could be particularly severe, especially for older adults and those with underlying conditions, urging eligible individuals to get vaccinated and take precautions. The UK Health Security Agency reports rising cases, especially in children, with hospital admissions expected to increase as colder weather encourages indoor gatherings.