North East parents have been urged to ensure their children have had the flu vaccine this winter - amid warnings that December saw the onset of the so-called "twindemic" as there were seven times as many people in hospital with flu than a month earlier.
Children aged two and three, those in school years up to year 9 are offered a free flu vaccine - along with older youngsters who may have long-term health conditions. Parents of the under-fours and children in high-risk groups are able to book vaccine appointments with their GPs, while older children can get appointments through school vaccination services.
This comes as NHS bosses warn that, around the country, there were 3,746 patients a day in hospital with flu - up from 520 a day a month earlier. By comparison at the end of December 2021 there were just 34 patients in hospital with flu.
According to NHS figures, flu admissions were highest in the oldest age groups - those over 85 - and in those aged five and under.
Dr Kev Smith, regional director of public health commissioning at NHS North East and Yorkshire, said it wasn't too late to get vaccinated. He said: "The flu vaccine can protect young children from getting seriously ill and ending up in hospital.
"For most children aged two to three, it is a quick and painless spray up the nose which is administered in a GP surgery. If the nasal spray vaccine is not suitable for them, they will be offered a flu vaccine injection instead."
Dr Smith said parents should check the NHS website for more information.
This comes as leading NHS figures warn that fears of a "twindemic" have been realised. Speaking about the seven-fold increase in flu cases, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, the NHS's national medical director, said: "Sadly, these latest flu numbers show our fears of a ‘twindemic’ have been realised, with cases up seven fold in just a month and the continued impact of Covid hitting staff hard, with related absences up almost 50% on the end of November.
"As well as flu, the NHS continues to be under significant pressure, with high bed occupancy, more than 12,000 beds taken up by patients medically fit for discharge, and demand for the 111 service remaining high, so please do make the most of 111 online, and only call 999 or visit A&E in an emergency."
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