Experts urge millions to get flu and Covid jabs ahead of 'difficult' winter

The threat of a bad flu spike has led experts to urge Brits to get flu and Covid jabs before the illnesses begin circulating in earnest this winter.

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 little immunity to it. 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.

"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.

Know the symptoms, stay vigilant 🙏

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