Across England, hospitalisations in young children are over 44% higher than the last pre-pandemic year (2019/20), with around 650 children under five in hospital with flu this week compared to around 450 at the same time in 2019/20. This time last year there were less than 20 children in hospital with flu.

In the Midlands, it is estimated that vaccine uptake in children aged two to three is also behind last year’s figures. On average 35.7% of 2-3s in the region have received their vaccine so far this year (33.9% of 2 year olds, 37.5% of 3 year olds), compared to 47.0 % this time last year (46.4% of 2 year olds, 47.6% of 3 year olds).

The NHS is continuing to see the impact of viruses circulating again post-pandemic. It comes as the latest winter data shows that nationally every day over the past week over a thousand (1,162) general and acute beds were taken up by patients with flu and 87 patients with flu were in critical care beds. The year before there were an average of just 25 patients a day in hospital with flu.

Across the population, the intensive care admission rate is now higher for flu than for COVID-19 and UKHSA recently recommended that the increasing level of flu circulating meant that it was appropriate for antivirals to be prescribed in primary care settings for flu.

The flu vaccine can protect young children from getting seriously ill and ending up in hospital. For most children aged 2 to 3, it is a quick and painless spray up the nose which is administered in a GP surgery. If the nasal spray vaccine is not suitable for them, they will be offered a flu vaccine injection instead. More information can be found on the NHS website.

Young children who can get a flu vaccination include:

• children aged 6 months to 17 years with long-term health conditions
• children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2022 (born between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2020)
• all primary school children (Reception to Year 6)
• some secondary school aged children

It is not too late for children to get the flu vaccine. Parents/guardians of children aged 2 and 3 and children in a high risk group can make an appointment through their GP surgery. Parents and guardians of any reception and primary school aged children who missed their vaccination should contact their local school-aged vaccination service or ask at their school if they are unsure.

This winter the flu vaccine is being offered to secondary school aged children from school years 7,8 and 9 in December and January, so parents and guardians should make sure that they send back the consent forms to allow their child to get the vaccine.

Dr Vijay Rawal, Regional Medical Director for Primary Care with NHS England in the Midlands, said: ‘Viral infections (including the flu virus) are increasing in young children. This can lead to complications including bronchitis and pneumonia. Therefore, we would strongly recommend that parents consider vaccinating their 2-3 year olds with the flu vaccination. Vaccinating the children may also help to protect other vulnerable people who may be at risk of serious illness if they contract the flu virus.’

 Susanne Howes, Consultant in Health Protection at UKHSA East Midlands, said:

“As cases of flu are rising we’re urging parents, in particular, not to be caught out as rates of hospitalisations for flu continue to be high in 5-14 year olds. This will be a concern for many parents and carers of young children, and we urge them to take up the offer of vaccination for eligible children as soon as possible, including those in the 2-3 year old bracket.

“We are extremely fortunate to have vaccines, which remain our best protection against severe disease and hospitalisation this winter. Most eligible groups have been selected because they are at higher risk of severe illness, including those with long-term health conditions and pregnant women – so please book your jab without delay. It will help protect yourself, your family and help reduce the burden on our health services.

“It’s also vital that we all remain cautious as we head into the festive period when people tend to mix more and the risk of flu increases. If you are feeling unwell, avoid contact with elderly people or those with underlying health conditions.”

Dr James Chipwete, UKHSA West Midlands Consultant in Health Protection leading on flu, said: “We are starting to see cases of flu increase, with children under 5 being of particular concern – with high case rates and being the group where we are seeing the highest admission rates in intensive care (ICU) and high dependency units (HDU). That is why we are urging parents and guardians, especially of very young children, to make sure their little ones have their free nasal flu vaccines. The flu vaccine is safe, and it really is the best line of defence to protect you against not only catching flu but passing it to other vulnerable people.

“At this time of year, we are all planning to meet up with loved ones, however there are lots of respiratory illnesses circulating at the moment. The pandemic meant we were not mixing as before, so people have been exposed less. However, we’re now meeting up as we did prior to Covid, so we are at increased risk of picking up infections and getting more seriously ill. That’s why everyone eligible should have their vaccines for winter, it’s not too late.

“It’s also important to make sure you practice good respiratory and hand hygiene – the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ advice and making sure you wash your hands afterwards and regularly, especially after going to the toilet and eating or preparing food. Also, if you don’t feel well, please stay at home, to avoid infecting others.”