North East NHS bosses have said that they are "increasingly confident" that by next year we will have an autumnal seasonal booster for Covid in the same way we do for flu.
In a Facebook Live with the Chronicle, three of the region's health bosses encouraged people to get vaccinations for both flu and coronavirus as winter kicks in, with viruses causing the most damage at this time of year. Though restrictions have long-been eased following multiple coronavirus lockdowns, the respiratory condition is still circulating and health bosses have previously warned of a "twindemic" along with influenza in the coming months.
However, they say that getting vaccines for covid and flu, which can be done safely at the same time, are people's best chance of protecting both themselves, their families and the NHS from being overwhelmed. And it's likely to be the case in the coming years too.
Professor Neil Watson, who leads the Vaccination programme for the North East and Cumbria, said: "I think we can be fairly sure we're going to have an autumn seasonal booster for covid in the same way we do for flu and we can anticipate that's highly likely that we'll have this next year. What happens in between is less clear and anyone who's trying to predict what's going on during the pandemic has been often embarrased by something turning out not as they expected, but seasonal boosters by next autumn are highly likely."
Dr Neil O'Brien, medical director with the Integrated Care board and GP, explained that different types of the virus that are circulating are under close surveillance by the Health Security Agency and the UK. He added: "None of us can say whether or not this virus will mutate and change and if that happens, we'll need to put in an additional booster. We're ready in the North East and North Cumbria for surging our vaccine if needs be, but if that doesn't happen, it'll be an autumn winter programme along with flu."
For now, they have urged those who are eligible to get both flu and covid vaccinations. Eligible groups are adults over 50, those in clinical at risk groups aged 5 - 49, care home residents, front-line health workers, carers, and those who are pregnant.
Rebecca Shearer, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, said: "It's really important to get vaccinated when you're pregnant, you do have a natural weakening of your immune system when you're pregnant. We are now seeing data that supports the vaccine is safe to have during pregnancies and it's a long conversation with the GP but we're also advising whopping cough and flu vaccines."
Children from two-years-old to year nine are also offered flu vaccinations through their schools. Dr O'Brien said: "The more people we have out in the community who are immune reduce the chances for you as an individual to pass it on to those who are more vulnerable. The number of circulating flu cases is starting to increase and what we're trying to prevent is a lot of admissions to hospital from covid and flu, as that would potentially hamper our ability to look after other medical conditions within our hospitals."
Good hand hygiene, coughing and sneezing into a handkerchief and meeting in well-ventilated areas were also encouraged - not only to limit covid and flu, but other winter illnesses. Dr Watson cited data from countries in the southern hemisphere which showed that flu cases have risen in their colder season, offering an idea of what could be to come for us in the north this winter.
Both vaccinations are said to leave "short-lived" side effects, if any at all, and Professor Watson dispelled the myth that you could get flu or covid from a vaccination, as there's no live version of either virus injected. He also advised people to use trusted and reputable sources of information, such as the NHS website or the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation, and to be cautious of misinformation on social media.
He added: "I certainly wouldn't go to a plumber to ask them to fix my car. I think equally, you'd go to the right source of information to understand conditions of healthcare and speaking to healthcare professionals is a very good way."
Both flu and covid vaccines are available through general practice and through community pharmacies. In the coming weeks, there will be a much greater emphasis on walk-in facilities.
To watch the full Facebook Live video, visit the Chronicle's Facebook site here. For more information on the Coronavirus autumn booster programme, visit the NHS website.
Have you had your Covid booster or flu jab this year? Let us know!
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