The UKHSA is advising everyone aged 65 and over, pregnant women, or with certain long-term health conditions to book their flu vaccination appointment, as positive cases are substantially higher than last year.
The influenza positivity has increased with a weekly mean rate of 8.2 percent compared with 6.1 percent in the previous week, and 2.9 percent this time last year.
Parents are also being reminded to book appointments for two to three-year-olds to have the nasal vaccine and sign consent forms for older children to be vaccinated at school.
In samples taken from hospitals, the positivity rate among those aged five to 14 years was 30.8 percent, compared with 20 percent last week, in samples taken from hospitals.
The flu vaccine uptake so far is comparable with the same period last year, the agency added.
But Covid activity is falling, with figures sitting around baseline levels. Respiratory syncytial virus activity has been more mixed but overall is normal for the time of year.
UKHSA consultant epidemiologist Dr Alex Allen said, "We’re seeing an unusually early start to the flu season this year, with the latest data showing a sharp increase among children but also increases in other age groups, with the virus now starting to spread more widely in the community."
Meningitis
Children and young adults, particularly university students, remain at risk from meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia, which can sometimes be fatal.
Latest UKHSA data shows 378 cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) were confirmed in 2024-25.
One of the reasons is a decline in the vaccination rates among infants and teenagers, leaving more children vulnerable to preventable diseases.
Health experts have urged parents to ensure that infants and toddlers are up to date with the lifesaving vaccines.
