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Flu: Why we still need to worry about it this winter Flu: Why we still need to worry about it this winter
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Health officials are ramping up efforts to ensure everyone who needs a flu vaccine has one.Health officials are ramping up efforts to ensure everyone who needs a flu vaccine has one.
The UK's largest flu-immunisation programme so far will see 30 million people offered the vaccine.The UK's largest flu-immunisation programme so far will see 30 million people offered the vaccine.
The idea is to prepare for a winter that could see the annual flu season coincide with a surge in coronavirus.The idea is to prepare for a winter that could see the annual flu season coincide with a surge in coronavirus.
But how will it work? And will things be worse this year?But how will it work? And will things be worse this year?
How bad is flu?How bad is flu?
The flu - or influenza - is a very common, highly infectious disease, caused by a virus.The flu - or influenza - is a very common, highly infectious disease, caused by a virus.
It can be dangerous - particularly for older adults, very young children, and people with underlying health conditions.It can be dangerous - particularly for older adults, very young children, and people with underlying health conditions.
The average number of estimated deaths in England for the past five annual flu seasons is more than 11,000.The average number of estimated deaths in England for the past five annual flu seasons is more than 11,000.
This ranges from almost 4,000 deaths in the season spanning 2018-19 to more than 22,000 in 2017-18.This ranges from almost 4,000 deaths in the season spanning 2018-19 to more than 22,000 in 2017-18.
The problem is certain groups of people, such as older people, pregnant women and people with long-term conditions are at high risk of becoming seriously ill from both coronavirus and flu.The problem is certain groups of people, such as older people, pregnant women and people with long-term conditions are at high risk of becoming seriously ill from both coronavirus and flu.
And while many healthy people can fight off the flu, sometimes things are more complicated.And while many healthy people can fight off the flu, sometimes things are more complicated.
The most common complication is a bacterial chest infection, which can develop into pneumonia.The most common complication is a bacterial chest infection, which can develop into pneumonia.
Other life-threatening complications include meningitis and septic shock.Other life-threatening complications include meningitis and septic shock.
How bad are flu and coronavirus together?How bad are flu and coronavirus together?
There is some evidence a double infection with coronavirus and flu is more deadly than either alone.There is some evidence a double infection with coronavirus and flu is more deadly than either alone.
But others believe being infected with one virus could potentially help prevent another virus from making someone ill at the same time. This hasn't been proven in this case.But others believe being infected with one virus could potentially help prevent another virus from making someone ill at the same time. This hasn't been proven in this case.
What is clear is a big flu season combined with coronavirus could overwhelm hospitals.What is clear is a big flu season combined with coronavirus could overwhelm hospitals.
For example, if lots of NHS or care-home staff are sick with flu, it may not be possible to respond to Covid-19 in the same way as during the peak in spring.For example, if lots of NHS or care-home staff are sick with flu, it may not be possible to respond to Covid-19 in the same way as during the peak in spring.
But social distancing, masks and other hygiene measures in place to stop coronavirus should, in theory, also have an impact on the amount of flu going around.But social distancing, masks and other hygiene measures in place to stop coronavirus should, in theory, also have an impact on the amount of flu going around.
Experts say these measures may have helped in countries like Australia where the flu season has been milder than expected this year.Experts say these measures may have helped in countries like Australia where the flu season has been milder than expected this year.
Could things actually be better this year?Could things actually be better this year?
Other countries in the southern hemisphere, including South Africa, have also reported lower levels of flu than expected at this time of year.Other countries in the southern hemisphere, including South Africa, have also reported lower levels of flu than expected at this time of year.
Scientists say this could be partly because lockdown measures and extra hand-washing all work to reduce the spread of flu too.Scientists say this could be partly because lockdown measures and extra hand-washing all work to reduce the spread of flu too.
The World Health Organization points out that while this is encouraging there needs to be a degree of caution when interpreting the trends.The World Health Organization points out that while this is encouraging there needs to be a degree of caution when interpreting the trends.
In some countries reduced staffing levels during the pandemic could mean cases of flu are not recorded in the same way as before, for example.In some countries reduced staffing levels during the pandemic could mean cases of flu are not recorded in the same way as before, for example.
We don't know yet how the flu season will pan out in the UK.We don't know yet how the flu season will pan out in the UK.
Schools will soon be back in full-force and primary school aged children can be super-spreaders of flu.Schools will soon be back in full-force and primary school aged children can be super-spreaders of flu.
And national lockdown measures have eased since the height of the pandemic.And national lockdown measures have eased since the height of the pandemic.
That's why officials will be urging people to get their flu vaccines if they can. That is why officials will be urging people to get their flu vaccines if they can.
How do you know if you have flu or coronavirus?How do you know if you have flu or coronavirus?
Both flu and coronavirus can cause a fever, cough, tiredness, muscle aches and headaches.Both flu and coronavirus can cause a fever, cough, tiredness, muscle aches and headaches.
Some people - mostly children - have other symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting.Some people - mostly children - have other symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting.
Some of these symptoms are also seen when people are ill with other common winter viruses.Some of these symptoms are also seen when people are ill with other common winter viruses.
And both flu and coronavirus can be spread before people have any symptoms or by people who do not get symptoms at all.And both flu and coronavirus can be spread before people have any symptoms or by people who do not get symptoms at all.
This could make things difficult this winter.This could make things difficult this winter.
And that is why the flu vaccine is being offered more widely and testing and tracing facilities for coronavirus are increasing.And that is why the flu vaccine is being offered more widely and testing and tracing facilities for coronavirus are increasing.
Who will be offered the flu vaccine?Who will be offered the flu vaccine?
In England, it will be offered free to:In England, it will be offered free to:
Health officials in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are planning to expand their vaccination programmes to cover similar groups.Health officials in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are planning to expand their vaccination programmes to cover similar groups.
The NHS wants to ensure the highest-risk patients are at the front of the queue when the immunisation programme starts, in September.The NHS wants to ensure the highest-risk patients are at the front of the queue when the immunisation programme starts, in September.
The aim is for people aged 50-64 to be offered the jab later, in November or December, if there are enough supplies.The aim is for people aged 50-64 to be offered the jab later, in November or December, if there are enough supplies.
Officials also say it is essential to increase vaccination levels among people in the most deprived areas and for people belonging to ethnic minorities at high risk of both Covid-19 and flu .Officials also say it is essential to increase vaccination levels among people in the most deprived areas and for people belonging to ethnic minorities at high risk of both Covid-19 and flu .
The vaccine will also be available privately in pharmacies and some supermarkets to adults ineligible for an NHS jab.The vaccine will also be available privately in pharmacies and some supermarkets to adults ineligible for an NHS jab.
It usually costs about £20.It usually costs about £20.
Will it be harder to get the vaccine this year?Will it be harder to get the vaccine this year?
Doctors and nurses are being asked to put new measures in place to allow the vaccine to be given safely during the pandemic.Doctors and nurses are being asked to put new measures in place to allow the vaccine to be given safely during the pandemic.
This will include careful appointment times to minimise waiting.This will include careful appointment times to minimise waiting.
Extra staff may be brought in to help.Extra staff may be brought in to help.
Some GP surgeries may ask people to use their cars as waiting rooms.Some GP surgeries may ask people to use their cars as waiting rooms.
Others will consider drive-through clinics.Others will consider drive-through clinics.
For the most vulnerable, there are suggestions nurses could visit them at home.For the most vulnerable, there are suggestions nurses could visit them at home.
And some pregnant women may be offered jabs during antenatal appointments.And some pregnant women may be offered jabs during antenatal appointments.
Meanwhile, people isolating because they or someone they have been in contact with have coronavirus will be asked to postpone their vaccinations until they are better.Meanwhile, people isolating because they or someone they have been in contact with have coronavirus will be asked to postpone their vaccinations until they are better.
Are there enough supplies?Are there enough supplies?
The Department of Health and Social Care says it has additional national supply of the adult vaccine to ensure demand does not outstrip supply.The Department of Health and Social Care says it has additional national supply of the adult vaccine to ensure demand does not outstrip supply.
Is it the right vaccine?Is it the right vaccine?
Every year, the World Health Organization studies circulating flu strains to make recommendations for the next season's vaccines.Every year, the World Health Organization studies circulating flu strains to make recommendations for the next season's vaccines.
This can only ever be a prediction, as vaccines have to be made in advance - often six months before the virus starts circulating in a country.This can only ever be a prediction, as vaccines have to be made in advance - often six months before the virus starts circulating in a country.
While experts agree this is not always 100% accurate, they say it is better to be vaccinated against some strains of flu than none at all - particularly during a pandemic.While experts agree this is not always 100% accurate, they say it is better to be vaccinated against some strains of flu than none at all - particularly during a pandemic.
What do I need to know about the coronavirus?What do I need to know about the coronavirus?