The leading health authority in the UK has issued a cautionary alert following a concerning uptick in flu cases affecting young children. The UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) has observed a continuous rise in flu instances among schoolchildren nationwide, suggesting a potential shift in the flu season timeline. In the 42nd week of 2025, flu indicators are now showing levels “above baseline,” with a notable 6.1% increase in flu positivity compared to the previous week. Correspondingly, the number of individuals hospitalized due to the flu has surged.
Notably, the severity of these cases has escalated, with hospitalizations climbing from 1.29 to 1.73 per 100,000 people in the same week, signifying early indications of an impending flu season. While the surge in cases predominantly affects schoolchildren, epidemiologists caution that the virus could easily spread to other more vulnerable demographics.
Dr. Jamie Lopez Bernal, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, emphasized the criticality of vaccinating children to prevent severe illnesses in the wider population. Highlighting the increasing flu activity, Dr. Bernal urged parents to ensure their children receive the nasal spray vaccine offered in schools. For those who miss the school vaccine, contacting the local school Imms team for vaccination options is advised.
Additionally, high-risk children can seek vaccination through their GP, while other eligible groups are encouraged to promptly receive the free flu vaccine. Dr. Lopez Bernal emphasized the importance of broader population vaccination as flu continues to circulate in the UK during autumn, stressing the vaccine as the primary defense against severe flu-related complications.
These warnings follow UKHSA’s caution that this year’s flu season could surpass the previous year in intensity, with increased GP visits, hospital admissions, and ICU stays due to flu-like illnesses compared to 2024. The previous season saw a prolonged duration driven by the H1N1 and influenza B strains, extending well into March.
