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A Hertfordshire man who spent 19 days in a coma after catching flu last winter has urged all eligible people to have their vaccine and get protected.

Steve Collett, aged 44, from Stevenage has spoken about his experience of being in intensive care in a bid to urge as many people as possible to get protected against flu and other seasonal illnesses this winter. Steve caught the flu virus just before Christmas 2024. He was admitted to hospital after his condition worsened and developed into double pneumonia. 

He was moved to intensive care and in an induced coma for 19 days, before finally being cared for at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust’s rehabilitation unit at Herts and West Essex Community Hospital. In total, Steve spent 52 days in hospital. 

Watch Steve talk about his experience to staff earlier this year:

 

Steve said: “From what I’m told if I had had the flu vaccination … it wouldn’t have got as bad as it did. They had 10 to 12 days when they didn’t know if I was going to pull through. It’s not like I crashed or anything. I was very unwell.”

Steve’s plea comes after NHS East of England issues a ‘flu vaccine SOS’. 

Eligible adults are being encouraged to get their jab as soon as possible to stamp out the early wave of flu hitting the NHS more than a month earlier this year, with cases triple the same time last year.

It follows the biggest flu season in Australia’s history – often an accurate predictor of what is around the corner for people in England.

The latest weekly data shows NHS teams in the East of England have now delivered almost 1.75 million flu vaccines since the rollout kicked off (1,740,639).

Caroline Shepherd, Assistant Director of East of England Child Health and Immunisation Programmes said: “We’re delighted that so many people have received their vaccine but we know lots more people haven’t.

“The virus changes every year, which is why it is so important to get the new vaccine each year to stay protected. 

“Nobody wants to spend weeks in hospital like Steve, and the vaccine is the best way to help prevent yourself or your loved ones from becoming seriously ill.”

Eligible adults can book an appointment to get their flu vaccine now via their local pharmacy, via the NHS App, GP practice, online at www.nhs.uk/bookflu or by calling 119. 

Vaccines are also available from one of our community clinics and mobile vaccination vans which offer a walk-in service.