Experts warn influenza and Covid could circulate widely this winter
(Picture: PA Wire)Millions of Londoners are being urged to have flu and Covid vaccines after experts said they were increasingly worried about a bad flu spike this winter.
Officials at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warn there will be lower levels of natural immunity to flu this year after a few winters when people socialised far less due to the Covid pandemic.
The capital’s regional director of public health, Prof Kevin Fenton, says Londoners should take up the vaccine where offered, and urged others do their bit by wearing masks in crowded places and regularly washing their hands.
“This winter will be the first without social restrictions and both viruses circulating,” said Prof Fenton. “Co-infection of both COVID-19 and flu is dangerous, especially for those at increased risk of serious illness, and we’re already seeing early signals that COVID-19 could be on the rise again.
“Fortunately, we have two freely available vaccines to help protect ourselves from becoming seriously unwell this winter – the Covid-19 booster and the flu jab. If you are eligible for either of these vaccines, please take it up as soon as you are able.
“As well as getting vaccinated, we can all 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.”
International surveillance shows the UK can expect the spread of H3N2 - a subtype of influenza type A - which is currently the most commonly detected flu virus worldwide.
H3N2 has recently caused waves of infection in countries including Australia, which has just had its winter. The flu vaccine used by the UK is designed to fight this strain.
In 2017/2018, the H3N2 flu strain led to a severe UK flu season, with around 20,000 deaths and 40,000 hospital admissions.
It did circulate in the UK last winter but less mixing due to Covid-19 means there is currently little immunity to it.
Under plans announced on Wednesday, around 33 million people in England will be eligible for a free flu vaccine this year, including all primary-age and some secondary-age children, who will be offered the nasal spray.
Meanwhile, around 26 million people in England are also eligible for the autumn Covid-19 booster vaccine.
People who qualify for both jabs could be offered the flu and Covid jab at the same time if supply allows, though in different arms.
Those eligible for the flu jab are: people aged 50 and over; those aged six months to 49 with a specified health condition; secondary school-aged children focusing on Years 7, 8 and 9 with any remaining vaccine offered to Years 10 and 11; primary school-aged children; pregnant women; those in care homes, frontline health and social care staff; carers and the household contacts of people with weakened immune systems.
These people can get a jab from their GP surgery or pharmacies offering an NHS vaccine service.GPs are also inviting children aged two and three years old (as of August 31) for the nasal spray vaccine.
People who qualify for the autumn/winter Covid booster include: adults aged 50 and over; those aged five to 49 with health conditions that put them at greater risk; pregnant women; care home workers and frontline health and social care workers; carers and the household contacts of people with weakened immune systems.
All those eligible for a booster can now book online apart from people aged 50 to 64 who are not in an at-risk group, who will be able to get one later this autumn.
The UKHSA said that, in addition to a predicted flu wave, there are “early indications” that Covid rates are beginning to rise ahead of winter.
Dr Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at 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.”
England’s deputy chief medical officer Dr Thomas Waite added: “Vaccines have saved many lives over the years for both flu and more recently Covid.
“But we must not be complacent - infections will rise once again this winter, so it’s really important people get both their Covid and flu vaccines if eligible.”
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.”
NHS Providers said trust leaders are “bracing themselves” for the possible “twindemic”.
The organisation’s director of policy and strategy, Miriam Deakin, said: “The recent uptick in Covid-19 cases and hospital admissions is concerning and time will tell if this ripple turns into a full-blown wave.
“Covid-19 boosters and flu vaccines this autumn will reduce the risk of serious illness and we would urge everyone to have their jabs when they can.”
People with asthma are not routinely offered a Covid booster vaccine due to the lack of evidence they are at higher risk from the virus. However, a subset of people with asthma (such as those with very poorly controlled asthma) are offered a dose.
