Londoners have been warned to get their flu vaccine as a matter of urgency, as an unprecedented wave of flu has begun to sweep through the city.
This severe wave of flu has seen three-times as many Londoners hospitalised by the virus compared to the same time last year.
Hospitals are under massive pressure, as an average of 259 patients took up a London hospital bed last week because of flu, which is triple the daily average of the same time last year.
Last week, there were over 16,500 ambulance handovers at an average of 2,363 per day. This is significantly higher than this time last year, when ambulance teams delivered nearly 15,500 handovers.
The NHS warned that there is no peak yet in sight, and said the capital’s NHS system is bracing for an unprecedented wave of flu cases.
Only a couple of weeks remain for those eligible to get vaccinated and ensure maximum protection before Christmas, and the NHS in London said that now is the time to act.
London pharmacies, GPs and community services have delivered over 1.8 million flu vaccinations so far this season, helping protect those at risk from a trip to the hospital.
It has also launched accessible vaccine pop-up events at football matches, soft play areas and shopping centres, and community pharmacies have provided over half a million walk-in jab appointments.
“The NHS has prepared earlier for winter than ever before, but despite this, we know that surging flu cases, coinciding with industrial action by resident doctors, will put pressure on services in the coming weeks,” said NHS London Chief Medical Director Dr. Chris Streather.
“While we’ve vaccinated over 1.8 million people this season, there are still vulnerable people who haven’t come forward.”
“If you’re in one of the eligible groups and you haven’t had your flu vaccine yet, I urge you to come forward as soon as possible – it’s never too late.”
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