People urged to take up Covid and flu vaccines ahead of winter 'twindemic'
Experts are warning that the UK should expect a big wave of flu this autumn, as well as a rise in Covid cases, and are urging people to get vaccinated against both.
Flu strain H3N2 - a subtype of influenza type A - is currently the most-commonly detected flu virus worldwide and has recently caused waves of infection in southern hemisphere countries such as Australia, which has also experienced flu circulating earlier than usual in their winter season.
Last winter, flu was held largely in check by Covid-19 restrictions when people mixed a lot less and worked from home. This helped to protect people from catching flu but has also led to lower levels of natural immunity to this strain building up within the population.
While there was record uptake of the flu jab in people aged 65 and over in 2021/22 (82%), there was lower uptake among people in clinical risk groups and pregnant women and these groups are particularly encouraged to come forward this year.
All primary school children and some secondary school children are eligible for the flu nasal spray this year, which is usually given at school. GP surgeries are also inviting children aged two and three years old (age on 31 August) for this nasal spray vaccination at their practices. Most young children will not have encountered flu yet. This means they will not have built up any natural immunity to this virus, so it is particularly important for them to take up the flu vaccine this year.
Get your Covid booster
In addition to the predicted flu wave, there are early indications that Covid-19 rates are beginning to rise ahead of winter, increasing the threat to people’s health.
For all those who are eligible, taking up both the Covid-19 booster and the flu jab is an essential form of protection against the most severe respiratory viruses in circulation this winter.
As well as taking up the vaccines, everyone is encouraged to help stop the spread of respiratory viruses this winter by practising good hand hygiene, wearing masks in crowded or enclosed public spaces and covering your nose and mouth when you cough and sneeze.
NHS director for vaccinations and screening Steve Russell said:
“This winter could be the first time we see the effects of the so called ‘twindemic’ with both Covid and flu in full circulation, so it is vital that those most susceptible to serious illness from these viruses come forward for vaccines in order to protect themselves and those around them.
“If you have been offered a flu vaccination or Covid booster you should book in as soon as possible and with more vaccination centres than ever before this year, they are quick, convenient and will provide vital protection this winter.”
Who is eligible for Covid and flu vaccines?
Covid and flu vaccines are recommended for those at higher risk of illness, which includes:
- everyone over 50
- pregnant women
- people with certain underlying health conditions
- care home residents
- frontline health and social care workers
All primary school children and some secondary school children, as well as youngsters aged two or three, can get a free nasal spray flu vaccine.
Dr Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Advisor at UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said:
“Flu and Covid-19 are unpredictable but there are strong indications we could be facing the threat of widely circulating flu, lower levels of natural immunity due to less exposure over the last three winters and an increase in Covid-19 circulating with lots of variants that can evade the immune response. This combination poses a serious risk to our health, particularly those in high-risk groups.
“The H3N2 flu strain can cause particularly severe illness. If you are elderly or vulnerable because of other conditions you are at greater risk, so getting the flu jab is a sensible, potentially life-saving thing to do.
“We are extremely fortunate to have vaccines against these two diseases Most eligible groups have been selected because they are at higher risk of severe illness. Younger children are unlikely to have built up any natural immunity to flu and therefore it is particularly important they take the nasal spray vaccine this year. So, if you are offered a jab, please come forward to protect yourself and help reduce the burden on our health services.”
