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Most people in England to be offered flu vaccine Most people in England to be offered flu vaccine
(about 1 hour later)
Most people in England, about 30 million, are to be offered a free flu vaccine this year, the government says.Most people in England, about 30 million, are to be offered a free flu vaccine this year, the government says.
It is to prepare for a winter that could see the annual flu season coincide with a surge in coronavirus.It is to prepare for a winter that could see the annual flu season coincide with a surge in coronavirus.
The traditional flu programme will include all over-50s for the first time, as well anyone on the shielding list and the people they live with.The traditional flu programme will include all over-50s for the first time, as well anyone on the shielding list and the people they live with.
Also for the first time, children in their first year of secondary school will all be offered the vaccine.Also for the first time, children in their first year of secondary school will all be offered the vaccine.
Plans for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have not yet been announced.Plans for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have not yet been announced.
How bad will flu and coronavirus be?How bad will flu and coronavirus be?
Flu, which can be deadly or need hospital treatment, poses additional threats during the pandemic:Flu, which can be deadly or need hospital treatment, poses additional threats during the pandemic:
But it is impossible to predict how big a flu season we will have.But it is impossible to predict how big a flu season we will have.
Australia, which is currently in its winter, is either having a very mild or very late flu season.Australia, which is currently in its winter, is either having a very mild or very late flu season.
Social-distancing and hygiene measures in place to stop coronavirus should, in theory, also have an impact on the amount of flu going around.Social-distancing and hygiene measures in place to stop coronavirus should, in theory, also have an impact on the amount of flu going around.
It is also uncertain how bad coronavirus will be, although a rise in cases from the autumn onwards is seen as plausible by health officials.
Who will be offered the flu vaccine?Who will be offered the flu vaccine?
The government wants to ensure the highest risk patients are at the front of the queue when the immunisation programme starts in September. The NHS will get in contact with those who are eligible.
It wants to ensure the highest risk patients are at the front of the queue when the immunisation programme starts in September.
Those aged 50-64 will be offered the jab later, with the full details still to be announced.Those aged 50-64 will be offered the jab later, with the full details still to be announced.
Dr William Bird, co-author of a report commissioned by the government and published this month, told BBC Breakfast that offering the flu jab to more people was "exactly the right move" but "the big problem" would be logistics. Last year, around 15 million people in England were vaccinated as part of the NHS campaign, far fewer than the 25 million who were invited to have it.
How do flu and coronavirus symptoms compare?
The symptoms of flu include a fever and a dry cough.
By now this should sound familiar - as they are the key signs of Covid-19 too.
Other symptoms such as fatigue, aches, a sore throat or headaches are also shared by both infections.
And there are also other winter viruses, such as rhinovirus and RSV, that can also lead to similar symptoms.
This could create a problem come winter - as far more people would need testing to work out whether they have had coronavirus and their contacts needed tracing.
This is why the government has already announced plans to increase testing capacity to half a million a day.
Today's announcement on vaccines aims to suppress the flu season so numbers are as low as possible.
GP Dr William Bird, an expert on preventative health, told BBC Breakfast it was right to offer the flu jab more widely, but that logistics would be a big problem.
He said flu clinics were already run like a "military operation" with people "bunched together" - and social distancing would complicate matters.He said flu clinics were already run like a "military operation" with people "bunched together" - and social distancing would complicate matters.
"I think there's going to be a real strain on the actual production. Hopefully the government has procured extra flu vaccine already, because at the moment it looks like there's a struggle to get the existing ones in place," he said.
He added: "I think there's going to be a big surge of people who are eligible, which is good, but it's just whether there's going to be enough vaccine around to be able to supply everyone that's needing it."He added: "I think there's going to be a big surge of people who are eligible, which is good, but it's just whether there's going to be enough vaccine around to be able to supply everyone that's needing it."
Last winter, 25 million people in England were offered the flu vaccine.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "This will be the biggest flu vaccination programme in history and will help protect our NHS as we head into winter.Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "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.""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."
Plans are also being put together for ensuring coronavirus does not disrupt vaccination by, for example, causing schools, which deliver the childhood programme, to shut.Plans are also being put together for ensuring coronavirus does not disrupt vaccination by, for example, causing schools, which deliver the childhood programme, to shut.
Prof Chris Whitty, the chief medical advisor, said: "This winter more than ever, with Covid-19 still circulating, we need to help reduce all avoidable risks.Prof Chris Whitty, the chief medical advisor, 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.""Vaccinating more people will help reduce flu transmission and stop people becoming ill."
Children are "super-spreaders" of the flu virus.Children are "super-spreaders" of the flu virus.
But the expansion of the childhood programme had not been anticipated before the pandemic.But the expansion of the childhood programme had not been anticipated before the pandemic.
The plan had been to assess the impact of vaccinating all primary school children, achieved for the first time last year, before deciding what to do next.The plan had been to assess the impact of vaccinating all primary school children, achieved for the first time last year, before deciding what to do next.
Meanwhile, there will be a renewed push to persuade health and care workers to have the vaccine.Meanwhile, there will be a renewed push to persuade health and care workers to have the vaccine.
Last year, 74% of staff were immunised.Last year, 74% of staff were immunised.
Paulette Hamilton, from the Local Government Association, said: "Extending the free winter flu jab to as many people as possible is essential if we are to tackle two potentially deadly viruses head-on and prevent one seasonable and predictable virus creating the conditions for a second, more serious and unpredictable deadly second wave of Covid-19.Paulette Hamilton, from the Local Government Association, said: "Extending the free winter flu jab to as many people as possible is essential if we are to tackle two potentially deadly viruses head-on and prevent one seasonable and predictable virus creating the conditions for a second, more serious and unpredictable deadly second wave of Covid-19.
"It is absolutely critical that all our health and care workers get themselves vaccinated, to protect both themselves and the people they look after, including our elderly and most vulnerable, from a potentially devastating second wave of infections.""It is absolutely critical that all our health and care workers get themselves vaccinated, to protect both themselves and the people they look after, including our elderly and most vulnerable, from a potentially devastating second wave of infections."
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Would you like a flu vaccine but are not on the list? Share your thoughts by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Would you like a flu vaccine but are not on the list? Share your thoughts by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist.Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist.
Or use the form below:Or use the form below: