Medical experts have issued a stark and urgent warning to parents across the UK, revealing that a dangerous new strain of influenza is making previously fit and healthy children 'very, very poorly'. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) is now strongly encouraging families to ensure their children receive the flu vaccine nasal spray as soon as possible.
This alert follows an 'urgent SOS' from the NHS, which is preparing for a significant surge in virus cases. Forecasts indicate that Britain is on the verge of its worst flu season on record, driven by the particularly virulent nature of the current circulating strain.
Why This Flu Season Is So Severe
Dr Helen Stewart, RCPCH Officer for Health Improvement, provided a sobering assessment of the situation. 'This year it's looking like a particularly bad season,' she stated. 'Rates of flu are much higher at this point than they were at this point last year. And we know that there's been some changes to the flu virus circulating, which means that people might be more susceptible to infection.'
Dr Stewart, a leading emergency care doctor, emphasised that this is not a simple cold. She warned that the flu can be fatal for children, with main complications including severe pneumonia requiring breathing support, which can then develop into life-threatening sepsis. 'I've seen some very, very sick children going to intensive care with flu,' she added.
The Hard Facts: Rising Cases and a New Strain
Official data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) underscores the growing threat. The statistics reveal a alarming increase in flu-related fatalities in England, which rose to 7,757 last winter from 3,555 the year before. Tragically, the number of child deaths involving flu also saw a sharp uptick, climbing from 34 to 53.
The global picture provides further cause for concern. Both Australia and Japan have been severely impacted by the emergence of a new flu strain, H3N2. This strain has mutated, allowing it to better evade the immunity provided by previous vaccines. Data from Australia, which is six months ahead of the UK in its flu season, shows infections have hit their highest level since records began in 2001.
Sir Jim Mackey, chief executive of NHS England, echoed these concerns, stating: 'Australia has just endured its worst flu season on record - over 410,000 cases - and all the signs suggest the NHS will face similar challenges in the months ahead.'
A Call to Action for Parents
Despite the looming threat, vaccination rates are a concern. While 13.3 million flu vaccines have been administered in England this autumn, a significant number of eligible people, including two in five care home residents, remain unprotected.
Parents are being urged to act now by completing and returning their child's vaccination consent forms sent home by schools, or by booking an appointment for 2- and 3-year-olds at their GP. Dr Stewart shared a personal anecdote to highlight how easy it is to miss the opportunity, confessing she missed the email from her own child's school last year.
'Thousands of kids need to go to hospital because they have flu every year,' Dr Stewart said. 'We're really keen that everybody gets flu vaccines. It's not just protecting them, it's protecting those around them - so a young child getting vaccinated could protect their elderly relatives.' She concluded by reminding parents that no one wants to spend hours in a busy hospital waiting room with a sick child, and vaccination is the best way to prevent this.
