London hospitalisations triple as 'superflu' sweeps through capital
Story by Tom Place, Evening Standard, December 5, 2025
London’s NHS services are bracing for an unprecedented flu wave this winter, with three times as many people in the capital hospitalised by the virus compared to the same time last year.
Numbers across the country continue to spike at an alarming rate, but Londoners have been warned that the city’s significantly low vaccination rates are particularly concerning.
At an NHS England board meeting on Thursday, chief executive Sir Jim Mackey warned that by the end of next week there could be anywhere between 5,000 and 8,000 beds occupied by flu patients - which could exceed the highest level ever recorded, 5,400.
1,717 flu patients were in beds each day last week, more than 50% higher than last year.
However an average of 259 patients took up a London hospital bed each day last week with the flu - triple the average of 89 this time last year.
A troublesome mutant strain of the flu hitting the UK is believed to be more infectious and leading to more severe illness and hospital admissions than last year - while also leaving people vulnerable to other catching other seasonal viruses at the same time.
A 'drifted' influenza A(H3N2) strain, also now known as 'subclade K' or 'super flu', is dominating cases and health leaders have warned the flu season started 'unusually early' this year - while virology experts are leading growing calls for mask wearing.
Eligible Londoners have been urged to get their jab to protect themselves and ease the pressure on staff - NHS figures currently indicate that fewer than half of eligible people in London have had the free flu vaccine this season.
London hospitalisations triple as 'superflu' sweeps through capital |
