Flu and Covid patients are now taking up one in eight NHS beds

Flu and Covid patients are now taking up one in eight NHS beds, sparking a push for more Brits to get vaccinated as nine million are due a booster jab and 13 million have not taken up their flu shot

  • Britons have not taken up 22million jabs as winter bugs increase NHS pressure 
  • More than 13,000 NHS beds – one in eight – taken up by flu or Covid last week 
  • Hospitals are already 94 per cent full as NHS chiefs warn of ‘busiest winter’ ever 

One in eight hospital beds are filled with flu and Covid patients while 22million jabs for the viruses remain unused, official figures show.

Health bosses urged those eligible for a vaccine to take up the offer in order to slash their risk of falling ill and piling pressure on the NHS.

It comes after Health Secretary Steve Barclay blamed a surge in winter bugs for driving demand for healthcare over the festive period.

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine has warned that up to 500 people a week are dying because of ambulance and treatment delays.

Nine million people are still due a Covid booster jab and 13million have not taken up their free flu shot, meaning a total of 22million jabs remain unused

Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, said the NHS was seeing record demand on emergency services and a resurgence in respiratory illnesses

Patients have been left waiting for four days in A&E, with some forced to sleep in their car outside hospital while they wait to be seen.

However, nine million people are still due a Covid booster jab and 13million have not taken up their free flu shot, meaning a total of 22million jabs remain unused.

Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, said: ‘The NHS is experiencing one of its busiest winters ever with record demand on emergency services and a resurgence in respiratory illnesses.

‘Last week alone, more than 13,000 beds were occupied by a patient who either had Covid or flu.

‘The latest figures show flu hospitalisations up seven-fold in the space of a month.

‘These viruses can make you seriously ill. The best way to stay well is to get your Covid and flu vaccines.

‘While almost two thirds of those eligible have come forward for their winter vaccines already, we know that millions have yet to do so and are missing out on vital protection so book in without delay.’

The flu vaccine and Covid booster is given free on the NHS to adults who are aged 50 and over, those who have serious conditions and their carers or household, pregnant women, care home residents and frontline health and care staff.

The CEO of NHS England said the health service was facing one of its busiest winters and that there were record levels of demand

The flu jab is also offered to children aged two to 11.

Latest NHS figures show there are 9,459 hospital patients with Covid and 4,128 with flu.

The total of 13,587 is 13 per cent of all available ward beds – or one in every eight.

Both figures are expected to rise in the coming days and hospitals are already 94 per cent full.

Adam Brimelow, of NHS Providers, which represents NHS trusts, said: ‘This flu season is the worst in years with a surge in patients adding to huge pressure on an already overstretched NHS.

‘Covid-19 hasn’t gone away either so our message to everyone offered a flu vaccine or Covid booster is “Get jabbed”.’

Health Secretary Mr Barclay said: ‘We know the rise in Covid and flu cases is putting major strain on the NHS.

‘I am working closely with NHS England to ensure their plans are doing all we can for patients.’

 

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