Admissions are highest among those aged 85+, and among children aged four and under, with year-on-year increases in these groups.

The NHS is issuing an urgent flu vaccination SOS as England sees flu cases surge to triple the level of the same period last year, urging eligible people to get free jabs before the season peaks.

Vaccination is available to those aged 65 and over, under-65s in clinical risk groups, care home residents and carers, pregnant women, close contacts of immunosuppressed individuals, frontline workers, and children, with access points including GPs, pharmacies, and school clinics.

More than 2.4 million flu vaccine appointments are available next week, underscoring broad access to protect vulnerable groups and relieve NHS pressure during winter.

Admissions this season are higher than recent years but still below the peaks seen in the worst winters on record.

Over the past decade, two of the worst winters have occurred recently, with flu deaths approaching 8,000 last season and nearly 16,000 in 2022-23, while current rates are about three times normal for this time of year.

UKHSA data show substantially higher mortality risk from flu for people with chronic neurological disease, immunosuppression, and chronic liver disease compared with the general population.

In particular, the mortality risk rises sharply—for chronic neurological disease, immunosuppression, and chronic liver disease by about 40x, 47x, and 48x respectively.

Last year, around 40% of under-65 individuals in clinical risk groups were vaccinated, leaving about five million unprotected in that cohort.

Only about 28.9% of people with at least one long-term health condition have received the flu vaccine this season, signaling many at-risk individuals remain unvaccinated.

Officials acknowledge that managing a severe flu wave will be particularly challenging, stressing the need to prioritise safety and preparedness as operations return to normal.

Hospitals are preparing for a difficult winter and stress the importance of getting the flu vaccine now, noting it takes up to 14 days to become effective.

Health experts say flu activity remains well above normal for this time of year, with higher rates in children and young people and expectations that the virus will spread to older groups in coming weeks.

Vaccination uptake for those 65+ is higher this year (about 61.5%), but officials warn many with chronic conditions may still miss out on protection.

Last winter saw England record 7,757 flu deaths, with child deaths rising to 53, underscoring the severe impact and the need for vaccination and healthcare readiness.