Government confirms start of winter flu season

The 2014 winter flu season is underway, according to a new report from Public Health England.

New figures from the organisation have revealed an increase in both child and adult cases, meaning flu is now circulating in the community, although the overall levels remain relatively low.

Guidance has now been issued to all English GPs about using antiviral drugs for people presenting with flu-like illness who are at higher risk of developing complications. Efforts are also being made to ensure vulnerable groups are immunised.

Currently, 70.6 percent of people aged 65 and over have been vaccinated, but this percentage falls to 47.1 percent in those aged under 65 with a health condition and 41.6 percent among pregnant women.

Chief medical officer Professor Dame Sally Davies said: "I am very grateful to GPs for the work they are already doing to vaccinate people, and I know they will continue to strive for higher uptake."

Last winter, Public Health England received reports of 904 people being admitted to intensive care or high-dependency units with laboratory-confirmed flu. Of these, 98 eventually died of the disease.