{"id":80360,"date":"2025-12-02T06:14:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T06:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/london-sees-surge-in-999-ambulance-calls-as-flu-season-takes-hold\/"},"modified":"2025-12-02T06:14:00","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T06:14:00","slug":"london-sees-surge-in-999-ambulance-calls-as-flu-season-takes-hold","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/?p=80360","title":{"rendered":"London sees surge in 999 ambulance calls as flu season takes hold"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"GettyGetty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Fewer than half of eligible people in London have take up the free flu vaccine so far<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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The number of 999 calls in London has risen over the past week, with London Ambulance Service (LAS) reporting its three busiest days of 2025 in a row. <\/p>\n

The service said the 20% increase included more calls from people with breathing difficulties due to viral infections and respiratory illnesses such as the flu. <\/p>\n

NHS figures indicate fewer than half of eligible people in London have had the free flu vaccine this season. <\/p>\n

Experts have predicted the worst flu season for a decade, fuelled by a new type of a flu virus. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Christmas flu <\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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LAS strategic commander Laurence Cowderoy said the service had prepared for winter for many months, but still urged Londoners to “only call 999 in a life-threatening emergency”.<\/p>\n

He said the high call rate was “more typically seen on New Year’s Eve”.<\/p>\n

Operations to cope with demands over the winter period include:<\/p>\n