Since October flu has killed 50 people across the country, including 13 children; of those who died, 45 were suffering from swine flu or H1N1. More than 700 patients are currently in intensive care, including around a hundred sufferers in London.
The nationwide figure is four times higher than at the peak of last year's pandemic.
There are other two strains of flu circulating this winter: influenza B and H2N3, but experts say swine flu is far more prevalent than the other two strains, as H1N1 gets to the parts other flu viruses don't reach and is therefore providing more deadly.
While figures show that cases are concentrated in the south and central regions, with lower rates in the north, ministers have urged manufacturers of flu vaccine to check their European stocks, as many GP surgeries across Britain are running out of flu vaccine at the moment, especially in London.
Most of those who are eligible for the jab on the NHS had the injection already, but many who belong to the at-risk groups, such as children, teenagers, the elderly and pregnant women, are still on a long waiting list.
Parents unable to get their children vaccinated turned to pharmacies, but several high street chains are refusing to provide the little ones with swine flu jabs, citing company guidelines.
This scenario, coupled with nine million pupils returning to school after the Christmas break, could see swine flu among the young spiral.
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