Flu cases are sweeping the country and the peak is still likely to come.

08:43, Wed, Dec 17, 2025 Updated: 08:50, Wed, Dec 17, 2025

Doctor giving vaccine injection to patient's arm

A doctor has given her verdict on the flu vaccine (Image: Getty)

A doctor has issued a stark warning that what's been dubbed "superflu" will get worse before it gets better as it continues to rip through Britain at a rapid rate. Although it’s meant to be the most wonderful time of the year, serious flu cases are sweeping the country with thousands being admitted to hospital, putting the NHS on the brink.

Children, aged between 5 and 14, are seen as superspreaders as youngsters in this age group have been hit by a tidal wave of the H3N2 flu strain. Some schools have even been forced to close temporarily with some cancelling Christmas activities. Last week, South Bank Primary School in Middlesbrough, announced it “would not be safe” for its Christmas lunch, performances and craft days to go ahead. 

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And now a doctor has given her grim judgement that the superflu’s peak is still likely to come.

Dr Cordelle Ofori told the M.E.N: “The general trend is that it's worse this year than it usually is for this time of the year. We are seeing more admissions than usual.

"And we're seeing higher rates than usual for this time of year, which suggests that we haven't yet reached a peak and things will probably get worse before they get better."

Providing her verdict whether it is too late to get vaccinated, the doctor added that getting the jab remains the most effective to keep you and your loved ones safe. 

She said: “It's absolutely not too late. As soon as you get the flu vaccine, it starts to work immediately.

BRITAIN-HEALTH-VIRUS

Thousands have been admitted to hospital with flu (Image: Getty)

“It’s not at its full power in terms of protecting you straight away, it builds up over time. So it becomes most effective two weeks after the vaccine, but it starts working straight away.

“Protection starts immediately and it will build up over time as well.

“And particularly, with Christmas coming up, people are going to be spending time with family members, perhaps with elderly members of the family, with younger members of the family. Perhaps [people are going to be spending time with someone] who may not be able to have the vaccine for some reason, like they've got a seriousness, like cancer, which means they may not be able to have the vaccine and they're also more likely to get really sick if they get flu."

It comes as resident doctors begin a five day strike just before Christmas. Starting at 7am this morning Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting accused doctors of "abandoning" patients "in their hour of greatest need".