Leading doctors issue warning amid ‘bad’ flu season

Published: 12 November 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

Leading children’s doctors across the UK are urgently urging parents to ensure their children receive the flu nasal spray this winter, as evidence points to what could be a particularly severe flu season. Health officials are stressing that even previously healthy children are at risk of developing serious complications from influenza, highlighting the importance of early vaccination to protect both young people and those around them.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) has been vocal in its warnings this week, emphasising that the flu virus is already circulating widely and at higher rates than seen at this point last year. Dr Helen Stewart, officer for health improvement at the RCPCH, told the PA news agency that the early surge is a cause for concern. “This year it’s looking like a particularly bad season – rates of flu are much higher at this point than they were at this point last year,” she said. “And we know that there’s been some changes to the flu virus circulating, which means that people might be more susceptible to infection.”

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed that this year’s flu vaccine provides “strong protection” for children, with early data suggesting that it is currently 70 to 75 per cent effective at preventing hospital attendance among children aged two to 17. For adults, the vaccine offers 30 to 40 per cent effectiveness in preventing hospital visits. This comes as health leaders report that a “drifted” influenza A(H3N2) strain, known as subclade K, is now dominant in England. Experts have warned that the early emergence of this strain has contributed to hospital activity reaching levels normally only seen in December.

Dr Stewart highlighted the real risks that flu poses to children. “No parent wants to have to take their child to hospital and be sat in a busy waiting room for ages, and the more young people that we can protect and prevent from having to do that, the better,” she said. She further warned that influenza is not limited to the elderly or those with chronic health conditions. “Unfortunately, it’s not just the elderly and people with chronic, long-term health conditions that get flu; it can make previously very fit and well children very, very poorly. Thousands of kids need to go to hospital because they have flu every year.”

She explained that flu can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia and sepsis. “The main complications that we see are pneumonia, so a severe chest infection needing breathing support, and that can tip over into sepsis and very extreme cases. I’ve seen some very, very sick children going to intensive care with flu,” she said. Her warning comes at a time when hospitals are already preparing for increased winter pressures, with bed occupancy rising and emergency departments seeing an influx of respiratory cases.

The RCPCH has also highlighted the challenges parents face in ensuring their children receive the vaccine. In many schools, parental consent is required for the flu nasal spray to be administered. Dr Stewart admitted that even pro-vaccination parents can easily miss the consent deadline, citing her own experience from last year. “Embarrassingly, that happened to me last year. I missed the email. As someone who is extremely pro-vaccination, I missed the email. So it’s really easy for busy parents to miss that consent.”

Most children in the UK are eligible for the flu vaccine through school-based immunisation programmes or through their general practitioner. The RCPCH has produced a detailed information sheet aimed at parents, addressing common concerns about the vaccine and explaining the risks associated with influenza infection. The information is designed to provide clear guidance and encourage uptake of the vaccine as early in the season as possible.

Dr Andrew Whittamore, clinical lead at Asthma and Lung UK, stressed the importance of vaccinating children with pre-existing conditions, particularly those with respiratory illnesses like asthma. “It’s vital that families take steps to protect their children from flu, particularly if they have lung conditions like asthma,” he said. “We strongly advise parents to ensure their children get their flu jabs as soon as possible, as well as any other recommended winter vaccines.”

Experts have also noted that vaccinating children can have wider community benefits, helping to protect elderly relatives and vulnerable populations. Dr Stewart explained: “It’s not just about protecting the child – a young child getting vaccinated could protect their elderly relatives that they come into contact with. Children do die every year from flu, so it is definitely not just a bad cold. Vaccination is crucial in preventing severe illness and hospitalisations.”

Speaking on the efficacy of the 2025/26 flu vaccine, Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, consultant epidemiologist for immunisation at UKHSA, described the results as reassuring. “These results provide important evidence that this season’s flu vaccines currently offer significant protection to both children and adults, despite concerns about the new subclade,” he said. “We continue to monitor the situation closely and urge everyone to get vaccinated to reduce the impact of this early and severe flu season.”

Healthcare professionals are particularly concerned about the early onset of influenza cases, which has put pressure on hospital services and primary care providers. Increases in admissions for young children are already being reported, and health authorities are urging parents to be vigilant for symptoms, which can include fever, cough, fatigue, and body aches. Early recognition and prompt medical attention are essential to prevent complications and reduce the burden on healthcare services.

The combined messages from the RCPCH, UKHSA, and other medical organisations underline the urgency of vaccination. While flu can often be perceived as a minor illness, these experts emphasise that it has the potential to be life-threatening, especially for children, older adults, and those with underlying health conditions. By ensuring widespread vaccine uptake, authorities hope to reduce severe cases and hospital admissions, thereby protecting both individual families and the wider healthcare system.

In conclusion, as the UK faces what may be one of the more challenging flu seasons in recent years, health professionals are urging all eligible children to receive the flu nasal spray promptly. The early data on vaccine effectiveness, combined with the rising prevalence of a drifted influenza strain, makes vaccination not only a personal safeguard but also a key public health measure. Parents are encouraged to check for communications from schools and healthcare providers and ensure their children are protected, helping to mitigate the risks of serious illness during the winter months.