As flu season makes its annual return, a pharmacist is underscoring essential NHS advice to fortify your immune system. Hospital admissions for flu in England have surged to unprecedented levels for this time of year, prompting health authorities to brace for an “unprecedented wave” of infections. In light of this situation, it’s crucial for everyone to take proactive measures to avoid hospital visits.

While cold and flu treatments often dominate shopping lists, pharmacist Riya stresses the importance of maintaining appropriate vitamin levels, highlighting one supplement in particular. “Before you rush out to purchase multivitamins, here’s the real NHS recommendation,” she shared on TikTok.

“The sole supplement the NHS advises for the general public is Vitamin D—not multivitamins, Vitamin C, or zinc—just Vitamin D,” Riya explained. She noted that this vitamin is especially beneficial during the autumn and winter when limited sunlight means we don’t receive enough naturally.

“Although Vitamin C is crucial for immune cell function, it doesn’t prevent colds or flu, nor does it significantly lessen symptom severity,” Riya clarified. She mentioned that Vitamin C could potentially reduce the duration of these illnesses by “half a day,” but stated there is “insufficient evidence” for the NHS to endorse zinc as part of regular supplementation.

Riya further explained, “Thus, Vitamin D is the only recommended supplement. The NHS suggests taking 10 micrograms or 400 units of Vitamin D from October to March. Research indicates that adequate Vitamin D can decrease the risk of respiratory infections, particularly in those who are deficient.”

According to the year’s first NHS winter report, an average of 1,717 flu patients filled hospital beds across England daily last week, with 69 in critical care. This marks a 56 percent increase from the same period in 2024, when there were 1,098 hospitalizations and 39 patients in intensive care.

The numbers also significantly exceed those recorded at this time in previous years – 243 patients in 2023 and 772 in 2022. The NHS has also reported that 30 per cent of patients arriving by ambulance at hospitals in England last week waited at least 30 minutes to be handed over to A&E teams.

Meanwhile, the UK Health Security Agency said respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases have also increased week on week. Hospitalisations rose from 2.38 to 3.75 per 100,000 people, while positive tests increased from 8.7 per cent to 10 per cent.

Positive Covid tests, however, fell from 2.3 per cent to 2.1 per cent, while hospitalisations with Covid increased slightly from 0.88 to 1.03 per 100,000 of the population.

What you need to know about the massive flu outbreak and what 11 symptoms to look out for

• Cases of the new H3N2 flu strain have surged with health NHS chiefs warning of a “tidal wave” of infections ahead of Christmas.
• Hospital admissions for flu are up by about 56 per cent on figures from last year, with the peak season for the illness still due to come.
• Brits eligible for a vaccination have been encouraged to get one in order to prevent more severe symptoms from occurring.
• The UK Health Security Agency said children are around 70 to 75 per cent less likely to be admitted to hospital if vaccinated, and adults are about 30 to 40 per cent less likely to be admitted.
• People who are aged 65 and over, live with long-term health conditions, are pregnant, live in a care home, are carers for an old or disabled person, or who live with someone with a weakened immune system, can book their flu vaccinations here.
• Flu symptoms include: A sudden high temperature, an aching body, feeling tired, a dry cough, a sore throat, a headache, difficulty sleeping, a loss of appetite, diarrhoea or tummy pain or/and feeling sick and being sick.
• Symptoms for children are similar, but they can also get pain in their ear and appear less active.

The NHS’ full flu guidance can be found here.