Coughs lingering as public told to get vaccinated

"I've had a cough now for getting on for two months," said Nick Vaughan when the BBC stopped him in the street to ask about cold and flu.

"I can't shift it. I've been to the doctors [and] there's a lot of stuff going around."

Hospitals in the West Midlands say he isn't alone.

Flu has apparently come earlier and hit harder than in previous years, and people are being urged even more strongly to take up vaccines because of "tidal wave" of flu and other winter viruses.

This is contributing to "quad-demic" fears by doctors, because flu cases are causing trouble alongside Covid-19 cases, patients suffering respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and those with norovirus.

In Birmingham, hospitals say they are running at almost 100% capacity.

Mr Vaughan, who works in banking, explained he hadn't been bed-bound but described his symptoms as an "irritation".

"All of my colleagues seem to be suffering with it," he explained. "It just seems to be a bit more prevalent."

Marianne, from Birmingham, said she had gone for her flu vaccine after being advised to take it up.

"I'm hoping not to get it or not get it bad as what I would without [the vaccine]," she said.

Pauline, from Wolverhampton, added she noticed it had been going around.

"I've worked with a lot of people who have been suffering from lots of things but I've been really lucky," she explained.

"I'm putting it down to the fact I've had my flu vaccination. I also had the Covid booster. This year I'm really pleased to say I've been bug free."

But Marcelle and Abbie, from Shropshire, added they had both been ill over the last couple of months.

"I didn't have my jab this time and I've had [the flu]," said Marcelle. "I'm just getting over it."

Abbie added: "I've not been too bad. I've only had a cough and a cold but I've had both my jabs. It was the end of September. I'm fine now."

It's not just hospitals sounding the alarm.

The UK Health Security Agency has urged families in the West Midlands to arrange vaccines as data shows many children are still unprotected from flu.

Vaccination catch-up clinics are being held for young people who may have missed free sessions in schools.

At Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Dr Robbie Dedi warned flu could be very dangerous.

"By getting vaccinated, you're protecting yourself, those around you, and contributing to a healthier, more resilient community," he said.

There are 350 sites across Birmingham and Solihull that can offer the flu vaccine. The RSV vaccine is available from GPs.

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