Flu and Covid low for now, but RSV rising in under-fives as health officials urge winter jabs

Flu and Covid are still circulating at low levels across England, but health officials expect flu and RSV to rise in the coming weeks now that children are back at school after half-term. The latest weekly figures from the UK Health Security Agency show RSV, a common cause of chest infections in babies and young children, is already increasing among the under-fives.

The message for anyone who is eligible for a free winter vaccine is: book it now, before the peak arrives.

Where things stand

In the week from 26 October to 1 November:

• Flu was circulating at low levels. Laboratory positivity rose slightly to 7.6% from 6.8%, and the hospital admission rate rose to 2.83 per 100,000 people, from 2.51.
• Covid-19 decreased. Hospital admissions fell to 2.23 per 100,000 from 2.58, and intensive care admissions stayed low.
• RSV increased, with positivity rising to 2.9% from 1.6% and hospital admissions to 0.80 per 100,000, though it is still at baseline levels.
• Norovirus, the winter vomiting bug, was stable and 17.4% below the five-year average for the time of year.

"Don't miss out and regret it later"

Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, a consultant epidemiologist at the agency, said the half-term break had acted as a "firebreak", keeping flu cases low. "We have seen RSV levels continue to increase particularly among young children aged under 5 years, while COVID-19 levels have decreased further," he said.

"With schools now back, we do expect to see Flu and RSV increasing in the coming weeks. If you're eligible for a free NHS vaccine don't miss out and regret it later. Every year thousands of unvaccinated vulnerable people end up severely ill in hospital, some in intensive care. While it may not completely stop you getting flu, a vaccine will help reduce the severity of the disease - and could save your life."

Who should get vaccinated

In Birmingham, where flu vaccination rates are below the national average, the city's councillors have been leading by example this autumn. Free flu jabs are offered to everyone aged 65 and over, people with certain long-term health conditions, pregnant women, carers and others at higher risk, and children are offered the vaccine through school. Pregnant women and older adults may also be offered an RSV vaccine, which helps protect newborn babies and older people.

Eligible adults can book through the NHS App or website, their GP surgery or a participating pharmacy.

Keeping the winter vomiting bug at bay

The agency's advice on norovirus is simple and practical:

• wash your hands with soap and warm water, because alcohol gels do not kill norovirus;
• clean surfaces with bleach-based products;
• if you have diarrhoea and vomiting, stay off work, school or nursery until 48 hours after symptoms stop, and don't prepare food for others;
• avoid visiting hospitals and care homes while unwell, and drink plenty of fluids.

The overall picture is encouraging for now, but the next few weeks are when winter illnesses usually take hold, and vaccination remains the best protection.