Why flu jabs could help fight a second wave of coronavirus
Government wants to ‘escape the nightmare’ of simultaneous flu and Covid infections
The government is preparing to vaccinate 30 million people against common flu this year, introducing new jabs for 11-year-olds and those over 50.
The reach of the programme will be doubled in an attempt to mitigate the impact on the NHS this winter.
There are concerns that people could suffer from Covid-19 and seasonal flu at the same time, resulting in the health service becoming overwhelmed if there is a second wave of the coronavirus, says Sky News.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The government is acting to “escape the nightmare scenario of a bad flu season alongside a resurgence of the coronavirus”, says The Guardian.
“It’s mission critical that we pull out all the stops to get ready for winter,” said Health Secretary Matt Hancock.
“We are now taking another important step to help protect the wider public by giving the flu vaccination to more people than ever before. This will be the biggest flu vaccination programme in history, and will help protect our NHS as we head into winter.
“If you are eligible for a free vaccine, whether it’s for the first time or because you usually receive one, then I would urge you to get it, not just to protect yourself, but to protect the NHS and your loved ones, from flu.”
Last year, around 15 million people received a seasonal flu jab, including over 65s, pregnant woman, and those with medical conditions such as asthma, heart disease and kidney disease. Care home residents and workers also received the jab.
This year, the government will roll out free jabs to Year Seven school pupils and those on the NHS shielded patient list. Over 50s will also be given the jab in phases, with the most vulnerable getting priority vaccination, reports the BBC.
Government sources say the UK has secured sufficient supplies of the latest flu vaccine, but there are concerns that not all GP surgeries will have the fridge space needed to store the number of doses they will need, says Sky News.
Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, stressed the harm flu can do. “Flu can have serious consequences and vulnerable people can die of it. Having the vaccine protects you, and helps reduce transmission to others,” he said.
“This winter more than ever, with Covid-19 still circulating, we need to help reduce all avoidable risks. Vaccinating more people will help reduce flu transmission and stop people becoming ill.”
Influenza causes an estimated one billion illnesses and up to 650,000 related deaths each year, according to the World Health Organization.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Long Covid: study shows damage to brain's 'control centre'
The Explainer Research could help scientists understand long-term effects of Covid-19 as well as conditions such as MS and dementia
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel, UN agree to Gaza pauses for polio vaccinations
Speed Read Gaza's first case of polio in 25 years was confirmed last week in a 10-month-old boy who is now partially paralyzed
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
FDA OKs new Covid vaccine, available soon
Speed read The CDC recommends the new booster to combat the widely-circulating KP.2 strain
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Mpox: how dangerous is new health emergency?
Today's Big Question Spread of potentially deadly sub-variant more like early days of HIV than Covid, say scientists
By The Week UK Published
-
What is POTS and why is it more common now?
The explainer The condition affecting young women
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Brexit, Matt Hancock and black swans: five takeaways from Covid inquiry report
The Explainer UK was 'unprepared' for pandemic and government 'failed' citizens with flawed response, says damning report
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Should masks be here to stay?
Talking Points New York Governor Kathy Hochul proposed a mask ban. Here's why she wants one — and why it may not make sense.
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Covid might be to blame for an uptick in rare cancers
The explainer The virus may be making us more susceptible to certain cancers
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published