NHS leaders in the South West is urging people to come forward for their flu vaccination without delay so they and their families are protected in time for Christmas.

Hospitals in England are managing record flu levels for this time of year as fears of a potential ‘quad-demic’ continue to rise, with a 350 per cent increase in hospital flu cases compared to the same week last year, and all regions including the South West are affected.

Latest figures show the NHS is going into winter under more pressure than ever before with an average of 1,099 people in hospital with flu every day last week compared to 243 in the same week last year – the highest number of cases heading into winter for at least three years.

Cases of flu are the highest in children aged between five and 14, according to UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data, so parents in particular are being urged to get their children vaccinated if they have not already done so.

Anyone eligible for a flu jab is being encouraged to take the opportunity to protect themselves in the run up to Christmas family gatherings.

It normally takes about two weeks following a flu jab to offer maximum protection, meaning those who want to be protected for Christmas Day get togethers will need to be jabbed this week.

But it is never too late to get jabbed and people have until the end of December 19 to book COVID-19 and flu vaccination appointments on the NHS online booking system, NHS App and 119 phone service. More than 27 million jabs have already been carried out for flu, COVID and RSV in England, and we urge everyone eligible to come forward.

Dr Kheelna Bavalia, NHS England South West Medical Director, said: ‘Cases of flu are rising exponentially so I would urge everyone in the South West to get themselves jabbed and protect themselves in time for family gatherings over the festive period.

‘The flu vaccine eases pressure on hospitals and our frontline workers who are really up against it during this time.

‘The vaccine is our best defence against winter viruses, and I would urge everyone who is eligible to put the flu jab at the top of their to-do list in the run up to Christmas.’

Professor Dominic Mellon, Deputy Regional Director for UKHSA South West said: ‘The threat of an early flu season is materialising, alongside norovirus rates increasing rapidly. With winter vaccine uptake not yet reaching the high levels we aim for in some eligible groups - including healthcare workers, our forecasts for infection rates are not getting any brighter.

‘It is vital that those eligible take up the free flu and COVID-19 vaccines before Christmas. In just one week it will be too late to book through the NHS online booking service.

‘Taking up the vaccine will prevent putting your seasonal plans in jeopardy – and more importantly, prevent the risk of severe illness and hospitalisation.

‘The elderly and those with weakened immune systems are most at risk of suffering more serious illness from flu or norovirus, so if you have flu-like symptoms or diarrhoea or vomiting, avoid visiting people in hospital and care homes to prevent passing on the infection in these settings.’

The flu vaccine is usually given to children as a quick and painless spray up the nose, without the need for an injection.