Flu jab vital this winter along with Covid vaccine

The public are being reminded to come forward for their flu jab to maximise their protection ahead of winter.

Health officials are worried because this will be the first winter Covid and flu circulate fully at the same time.

Research shows those infected with both viruses are more than twice as likely to die as someone with Covid alone.

More than 40 million people across the UK – 35 million in England – are being offered a jab this year in the biggest flu vaccination campaign so far.

And this includes, for the first time, all secondary-school children up to the age of 16.

Alongside the extended flu campaign, the over-50s and younger adults with health conditions are also being offered a Covid booster jab this autumn and winter.

Dr Jenny Harries, head of the newly formed UK Health Security Agency, warned the level of immunity to flu was likely to be lower this winter because very little of the virus had been circulating last year, because of social distancing and lockdown.

“It is really important people get vaccinated,” she said.

“This is the first winter where we will have seasonal flu and Covid co-circulating.”