Fed up of hearing about the flu

[SpoonBaloon]

I know I’m being unreasonable but am I the only one who’s getting wound up by the constant coverage of the flu on every national news outlet?

It is December. Of course the flu is going around! Every winter we hear about the NHS being overwhelmed.

I can accept minor coverage but it’s been the main story for days on end and it doesn’t seem like it’s going to stop! And I know the flu kills and people need to be aware to take precautions but surely people don’t need it to be pointed out to them that they have an increased chance of catching the cold or flu in the run up to Christmas?

I was deathly ill with it last year but luckily have managed to avoid it up to now.

If you'd paid attention to the content of the stories you might have understood that it has hit far earlier in the winter than normal, that there is no sign of the peak, and hospitals are already overwhelmed. There is a vaccine available (free if eligible, £20 if not).

Is that not newsworthy?

They’re trying to encourage people to get vaccinated and avoid unnecessary admissions and deaths as it’s a very symptomatic strain. That’s not a bad thing. If you don’t want to see it scroll on or switch off. Other people might benefit from knowing it’s particularly rough this year.

It’s about encouraging vaccination. I paid £24 to be done. Gave me some peace of mind

First World Problems. Just because glad your not one of the ones in hospital .

An average of 2,660 patients a day are currently in an NHS hospital bed with flu, up from 1,717 last week and the highest ever for this time of year. By comparison, in the same week last year the number of patients in hospital with flu stood at 1,861, compared with 402 in 2023. It’s extremely concerning. The vaccines take 10-14 days to work, so of course the government wants people to get vaccinated to avoid the NHS being overwhelmed.

I'm terrified 😭😭

Might try and stick a facemask on dd - even the cat can get one!

I’m sceptical to be honest. Everywhere I go everyone seems to be coughing, apparently this strain of flu isn’t completely covered by the vaccine and it can also have other symptoms such as GI issues . I think it’s just Covid and we are being misled (not sure why as I don’t think one is worse than the other)

Its encouraged me to get vaccine so I can hopefully avoid over Christmas. Its the worst its beem for years and its making people very poorly

Where is the evidence that it isnt covered hy the vaccine? The daily fail

Unfortunately people do need reminding. I am constantly shocked at how quickly people have forgotten or are choosing not to take precautions around other people. Utterly selfish people.

I’ve read in various places that this strain has mutated and although the vaccine offers some protection it’s not as good as it could be ? I can’t remember where but I’ve read this in a few places

Does the vaccination protect against this current strain? Or does it just minimise other flus so the NHS can concentrate on the strain causing the issue?

I always used to have my flu jab (was pregnant x3 over winter and then diagnosed with an autoimmune condition) but I haven't the past few years.

Yep sick of it tbh. Media like a broken record. Most people including kids seem to get the flu vaccine, it doesn’t seem to work very well does it? 🤷‍♀️

I’m thinking of paying for the jab. I’ve had flu twice in my life and it frightens me I was that ill.
Like everyone else OP I’m sick of catching stuff and a lot of people haven’t been the same since covid so I think YABU.
If this flu is as bad as they say then I’m glad they’re driving it home, people with compromised immune systems are vulnerable so yes I’m glad the warnings are everywhere when it can kill people.

This, exactly. Plus the uptake of the flu vaccination is very low, hopefully it will persuade people to get it. I understand it’s personal choice but I genuinely don’t understand why people don’t get vaccinated.

https://researchportal.ukhsa.gov.uk/en/publications/early-influenza-virus-characterisation-and-vaccine-effectiveness-/

It doesn’t mean the vaccine is not effective at all, but it seems to be more effective in preventing hospital admissions for children than adults with the mutated strain.

Indeed.

the added complication is that it’s very difficult to get hold of the vaccine now. Boots are no longer offering it. I managed to track it down at a local independent pharmacy but I had to call a few.

People do need to have it pointed out though

many people will spread germs because they don’t feel too bad and they don’t want to miss out

many people will skip the jag because it’s inconvenient

its not about you - it’s about the idiots going to a and e with a coldsore Rather than the pharmacy

annoying yes but necessary also

People need to get the vaccine and mask up when they go out among others. It's a really nasty mutation and hospitals are being overrun way earlier than usual.

and yes vaccine demand has soared I think since the reporting started seriously a week or so ago meaning that supplies may be limited

The coverage has been making me really anxious. I have OCD and it’s really amplifying things. If the coverage is to increase vaccination uptake it’s a bit of a moot point since there doesn’t seem to be many private vaccines available 🤷🏻‍♀️

The uptake of the flu vaccine this year has been extremely low for some reason

The UK Health and Safety Agency have issued an urgent appeal for people to get vaccinated, as it takes up to two weeks following the vaccine for people to develop a maximum immune response. Vaccine uptake currently stands at 71.7% in all those aged over 65 years, only 35.6% in all pregnant women and 37.4% in those aged under 65 years with one or more long-term health conditions.

It’s significantly different from previous outbreaks. Earlier and more cases requiring hospitalisation. This is newsworthy I think.

My question is, if an individual isn’t eligible for a free NHS vaccine how are they supposed to get one when almost every chemist is out of stock for paid vaccines?