The flu vaccine has helped curb a ‘flu-demic’ according to experts
The number of people hospitalised with flu in Coventry has been confirmed(Image: CoventryLive)
More than 200 people have been hospitalised in Coventry with flu in the past few weeks.
But the number appears to be falling – with experts saying the flu vaccine has helped curb a feared ‘flu-demic’.
Across England flu hospitalizations continued to fall across the Christmas period with an average of 2,676 beds a day occupied by flu patients. This is less than the same time in previous years.
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At University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, NHS figures show that 66 people were hospitalised with flu in the week ending December 28.
This compares to 69 the week previous, 55 in the week of December 14 and 44 in the week of December 7.
You can see the situation in your area in our interactive map:
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS National Medical Director, said: “It is welcome news to see a drop in the number of people being admitted to hospital with flu, thanks in part to the extraordinary efforts of NHS staff with more than half a million more people vaccinated against flu compared to the same period last year.
“The NHS is far from complacent as temperatures drop with this likely to increase pressures in the New Year, and demand on services remaining high with NHS 111 services recording their second busiest day in two years on Saturday.
“It’s vital that the public please continue to only use 999 and A&E in life-threatening emergencies and use NHS 111 and 111 online for other conditions.
“If you haven’t had your flu jab yet and are eligible, please come forward – it’s not too late.”
Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting said: “In spite of all of the challenges the NHS faces this winter, the Herculean efforts of NHS staff and our investment and modernisation mean that hospital bed occupancy is lower than this time last year and ambulance handover performance is improving.
“But we still face intense pressures, and with this bitingly cold snap adding additional challenges it is more vital than ever those eligible get their flu jab and people only attend A&E in an emergency.
“Let’s all join NHS staff in doing everything we can to protect ourselves and our families through a difficult winter so NHS services are free for those who really need them.”
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