My DH is a respiratory consultant in the South West of England, where apparently we're 2 weeks behind the national surge. But there are no beds, and that's now...all being taken up by flu. This is flu, confirmed on swab, strain H3N2, so not covid. The paediatric dept is transferring children to two hospitals an hour in each direction, away.
So the young and elderly are both falling like flies, but he's coming home and saying young, fit people are being admitted too.
Vaccine uptake among eligible groups, children, the elderly, and those with underlying health conditions is v low.
My daughter is a secondary school teacher and her school shut. This is real.
The flu vaccination definitely ameliorates the worst of the symptoms, and may prevent hospitalisation, but it's true it's mutated. The WHO maps the strain each year and develops the vaccine, but by the time flu gets to the UK, this happens. It is still worth getting the vaccination. But it takes 10-14 days to kick in. You can't get flu from the flu vaccine either. If you do, then you've probably come into contact with it or be incubating it before the flu jab has kicked in.
Or its not H3N2. Admittedly, you can feel slightly under the weather after it, any more, and you've either fallen prey to true flu, or it's another nasty virus.
Anecdotally, I've worked in secondary and primary care for 35 years. I've had flu twice, both times in my 20s and early 30s and both before vaccination. But have been vaccinated since. Oh, my goodness. It is not possible to put into words how hideously ill I was. I've never felt worse.
I don't think there is any other conspiracy agenda going on. People are being exhorted to get the jab, because it helps, both in the spread, and in hospitalisations. But it's also incumbent on people to behave responsibly and keep away if they are feeling ill, wash hands, wear face masks ( although, the blue paper ones are not very effective tbh). I get frustrated at some of the 'stoicism' that some people can exhibit. Its not just about you!