‘Tis the Flu Season: Hospitals Overrun by an Early Influx of Illness
By Emily Toolan
Winter has already begun, 5 weeks early. The usual influx of people experiencing flu-like symptoms has hit hospitals at a stronger rate than usual, and earlier than expected. Hospitals are currently experiencing a higher rate of patients compared to what is normal at this time of year.
Each year, it seems as though Christmas starts earlier and earlier, and the flu season has followed suit, also starting 5 weeks earlier. Officials are worried by this earlier spread of the flu because vulnerable people who have yet to get their flu vaccine are at a higher risk, which is contributing to the beginning of the increase in pressure in hospitals. Experts cannot yet predict the severity of the impact we will see, but the concern is that, due to recent years seeing the worst cases of the flu in the decade (with 8000 deaths in 2024, and 16000 in 2023) [1], this year will be no different.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are currently running a campaign urging people who are eligible to get the vaccine to do so right away, in order to deter the spread of the flu and give hospitals that much-needed breathing space before the pressure on nurses and doctors becomes severe. Students who are eligible should get their vaccine as soon as possible to minimize the spread in those closer contact groups, which cause a much higher impact spread.
Students are warned that should they begin to experience flu-like or COVID-19 symptoms, they should exercise precaution and minimize contact to reduce spread, rather than blaming the all too common freshers’ flu.
Hospitals are currently seeing their higher winter rates of patients arrive 5 weeks earlier than normal, and they simply cannot handle this. The risk here is overwhelming levels of flu-related illness, with doctors having to prioritise patients; the severity of this could result in more deaths of patients, prompting fears of this being the worst flu season of the decade.
Chief executive of the NHS, Sir Jim Mackey, is increasingly worried following reports that Australia has endured one of the worst flu seasons on record and fears the NHS across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales could face similar, if not worse. [2].
“There’s no doubt this winter will be one of the toughest our staff have ever faced.” – Chief executive of the NHS, Sir Jim Mackey.
It’s no secret that recent pressures since the COVID-19 pandemic have begun to show cracks in the NHS. The fear is that this winter pressure may be the final crack that starts to crumble the NHS. This is a worrying thought for some, due to the increase in calls from the right-wing to privatise the NHS, as a solution to make it stronger. The NHS will undeniably struggle to keep up with this increase in pressure from flu cases, which will affect all aspects of the service. This struggle will add fuel to the fire for the call for privatisation.
To help combat this hospital pressure, people are advised to go to their local pharmacy first if they believe they are suffering from the flu – this will give hospitals the chance to treat more at-risk patients first. The public can also play their part by getting vaccinated if they are eligible: this includes groups such as frontline health and social care workers, over 65s, and those living with people who are immunocompromised [3]. The most recent figures show that only 28.9% of people with one or more long-term health conditions (LTHCs) have had a flu vaccine, despite being offered it free of charge [4].
This week, Belfast will begin to celebrate Christmas, with the much-awaited Christmas market opening on November 15th, marking the beginning of the winter season. This will make the city centre increasingly full and bustling, having major impacts on boosting the city’s economy and increasing tourism, but the negative implications are also there. The tight enclosed space in market stalls and narrow paths surrounding will cause further spread of the flu in a city where health services are already facing heavy pressure.
With the NHS already on the brink of crisis, will the start of the official winter season, and the Christmas festivities just around the corner, cause us to see the worst flu season of the past decade?
References:
[1] Triggle, Nick. “Flu Season Hits Five Weeks Early – Am I Eligible for Vaccine?” BBC News, October 30, 2025. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c20pe6llg2zo.
[2] Triggle, Nick. “UK Facing Long, Tough Flu Season, NHS Chiefs Warn,” BBC News, November 6, 2025, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8r01ykl0xgo.
[3] UK Health Security Agency, “Your Guide to Who’s Eligible for the Autumn 2025 Flu Vaccine – UK Health Security Agency,” Blog.gov.uk, September 2025, https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2025/09/01/your-guide-to-whos-eligible-for-the-autumn-2025-flu-vaccine/.
[4] UK Health Security Agency, “Over 5 Million under 65s with a Long-Term Health Condition Could Miss out Flu Vaccine,” GOV.UK, November 6, 2025, https://www.gov.uk/government/news/over-5-million-under-65s-with-a-long-term-health-condition-could-miss-out-flu-vaccine.
