The number of young children hospitalized for the flu is roughly 20 times more than it was last year, according to data. This week, 230 children under the age of five were hospitalized, as opposed to 12 during the same period last year.

Parents have been urged to vaccinate their children against the flu in response to an increase in severe cases among youngsters under the age of five.

The number of young children hospitalized for the flu is roughly 20 times more than it was last year, according to data.

This week, 230 children under the age of five were hospitalized, as opposed to 12 during the same period last year.

In the past six weeks, hundreds of children under the age of five have been hospitalized with influenza, according to estimates.

Pregnant women have also been encouraged to get vaccinated.

The NHS is writing to nearly 800,000 parents to encourage them to have their children vaccinated at a general practitioner’s office before the holiday season. A nasal spray is administered to children under the age of five unless it is not medically appropriate.

Just under 35% of children aged two to three have received their flu shot thus far, a decline of 9% compared to the same period last year.

Nearly 18 million injections have already been given.

Steve Russell, NHS National Director of Vaccinations and Screening, stated: “Our flu vaccine program continues to make significant achievements in protecting the public, with nearly 18 million injections already provided, but we must ensure that no group falls behind.

Young children, whose health might be damaged by illness, can also transmit influenza to other vulnerable family members, so we advise parents to get vaccinated against influenza at one of the tens of thousands of available locations before the holiday season.

Who is eligible for a free vaccine?

All pregnant women and children born between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2020 are eligible for a free NHS flu vaccine.

Pregnant women also have a lower vaccination rate, with 29.6% receiving the vaccine this year compared to 34.6% last year.

respiratory disorders are more prevalent in winter.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS National Medical Director, stated, “It is very encouraging to see a high rate of influenza vaccination already, but as winter progresses and we spend more time indoors, respiratory diseases become more prevalent; therefore, we must do everything possible to protect ourselves and others.”

“Pregnancy-related influenza can induce complications, and there is evidence that it can cause premature birth. Young children can also be in danger, particularly if they have chronic health concerns, and hospitalizations have increased in recent weeks.

Our message to pregnant women and parents of young children is therefore that it is not too late to seek this critical protection.

In the previous week, the number of patients hospitalized with influenza increased by 40 percent.

Last week, an average of 482 individuals per day were hospitalized with influenza, compared to 344 the week before.