The boss of NHS England has urged Brits to get vaccinated before Christmas with cases of ‘festive flu’ on the rise. Cases of Flu, norovirus (the winter vomiting bug) and RSV (a common cold and cough) have significantly risen in the UK this winter.

Flu positivity jumps to 17.1% as vaccine take-up rates lag behind levels needed to protect the NHS and levels of norovirus highest in a decade for the

UK public health officials have issued a winter virus warning as flu positivity levels jumped from 11.6% to 17.1% in a week, amid low vaccine uptake.

According to the UKHSA, flu vaccine uptake data indicates that just 36 per cent of those under 65 years in a clinical risk group have had their flu jab, compared to 38.3 per cent at the same point last year – with 71.4 per cent of all those aged 65 years and over taking up the offer, compared to 75.9 per cent last year.

NHS England has warned services “tidal wave” of infections and are bracing for a “quad-demic” of bugs this winter, with the increase in cases of flu, norovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and expected increases of Covid-19.

NHS England has warned of a “tidal wave of flu hitting hospitals” as the number of hospital beds occupied by patients with flu surged by 70% in a week. A&Es had their busiest November on record, with doctors seeing 2.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: "The tidal wave of flu cases and other seasonal viruses hitting hospitals is really concerning for patients and f

The national medical director for NHS England said: "The tidal wave of flu cases and other seasonal viruses hitting hospitals is really concerning for patients and for the NHS."

The NHS has warned of a “tidal wave” of flu infections in the last seven days, with a 70 per cent increase in hospital cases in England.