Medical experts on This Morning urged children, pregnant women and the elderly to get their flu vaccinations this winter.
Talking to Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, two doctors appeared on the ITV show as they explained that flu hospitalisations are on the rise. They also highlighted signs and symptoms of flu to look out for as the virus can be hard to differentiate from other illnesses.
Infectious diseases expert, Dr Beate Kampmann said: "On an average year, half a million people die of flu. Just in 2018, 1,500 people died of flu and the ones who are particularly susceptible are small children, but also pregnant women and the elderly, which are the primary groups we really need to vaccinate."
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She explained that flu "changes its clothes" every single year meaning that the vaccine needs to be adapted slightly every year. The expert said: "The strains aren't hugely different, but they are a little bit different which means your immune system needs to catch up with them."
This Morning's resident GP, Dr Sara, agreed as she said: "There has been an 11% drop in those aged two to three having their vaccinations. These are the pandemic babies who haven't been exposed to many viruses, especially over winter. So I worry about that group."
Dr Sara added that the symptoms of flu can be hard to differentiate from other illnesses. She said: "There are so many viral illnesses out there and flu like illnesses. It can be difficult to differentiate between the flu and others. In general the flu is more severe than your common cold. It comes on more quickly and lasts a bit longer. The symptoms are usually fever, muscle aches, headaches and fatigue."
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