Flu jab

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) officials are braced for a resurgence in flu infections capable of causing severe disease in the coming months, and are ...

If Covid precautions such as masking, social distancing and improved ventilation indoors are maintained, this will also reduce the number seasonal of flu infections.” “We know that giving both the flu vaccine and the Covid vaccine simultaneously is safe, and they do not interfere with one another. [Research in 2020](https://academic.oup.com/ije/article/50/4/1124/6263422) found that people diagnosed with flu and Covid at the same time were twice as likely to die as those who only tested positive for Covid. “If you have been offered a flu vaccination or Covid booster you should book in as soon as possible.” Where possible Covid and flu shots will be given at the same time. H3N2 can cause more severe disease than other flu strains and was responsible for the UK’s last bad flu season in 2017-18, in which there were about 22,000 excess deaths and twice as many hospital admissions.

International surveillance shows that H3N2 – a subtype of influenza type A – is currently the most-commonly detected flu virus worldwide. H3N2 has recently ...

So, if you are offered a jab, please come forward to protect yourself and help reduce the burden on our health services. The H3N2 flu strain can cause particularly severe illness. This combination poses a serious risk to our health, particularly those in high-risk groups. This H3N2 strain circulated in the UK last winter but was held largely in check by COVID-19 restrictions when people mixed a lot less and worked from home. GP surgeries are also inviting children aged 2 and 3 years old (age on 31 August) for this nasal spray vaccination at their practices. H3N2 has recently caused waves of infection in southern hemisphere countries such as Australia, which has also experienced flu circulating earlier than usual in their winter season.

Millions have been urged to get their flu and Covid vaccines amid warnings a “twindemic” and difficult winter could lie ahead. A devastating flu season is ...

GPs are also inviting children aged two and three years old for the nasal spray vaccine. [Terms of use,](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/user-policies-a6184151.html) [Cookie policy](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/cookie-policy-a6184186.html) and [Privacy notice.](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/privacy-policy-a6184181.html) “The H3N2 flu strain can cause particularly severe illness. [Privacy policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en) and [Terms of service](https://policies.google.com/terms?hl=en) apply. Registration is a free and easy way to support our truly independent journalism - Care home workers and frontline health and social care workers Steve Russell, NHS director for vaccinations and screening, 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.” [flu](/topic/flu) and [Covid ](/topic/covid) [vaccines](/topic/vaccines) amid [ warnings a “twindemic”](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/covid-flu-twindemic-winter-nhs-b2169331.html) and difficult winter could lie ahead. [flu season is expected in the colder months](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/winter-flu-jabs-cold-symptoms-b2172209.html), which has sparked fears it could combine with [rising Covid numbers](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/covid-cases-infections-rise-uk-b2173837.html) and overload the [NHS](/topic/nhs). 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. “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.” Experts warned there could be a “serious risk to health” this year over flu levels, lower immunity due to reduced exposure and an increase in Covid with lots of variants circulating around.

“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 ...

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. 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.” Under plans announced today, about 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. It did circulate a bit in the UK last winter, but less mixing due to Covid-19 means there is currently still little immunity to it. The southern hemisphere has just had a bad winter for flu over recent months due to H3N2, and it is predicted the same will happen here. The Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions introduced around the world since spring 2020 meant flu did not manage to circulate much ahead of the past two winters.

The doctor added: "It makes sense to get your vaccinations without delay. And when I say vaccination, I mean 33 million people are eligible for a free flu jab ...

[ITV's Lorraine](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/lorraine-kelly), the health expert warned that millions are eligible for their flu and covid jabs - and should get them urgently. The covid booster, we're seeing a resurgence and there might be other variants so it makes sense to boost your immunity because no one wants that. Dr Hilary said that getting enough sleep and reducing stress in your life are important factors to having a healthier lifestyle. He added that supplements such as vitamin A and vitamin D are useful to boost immunity too. Therefore our immunity against viruses that cause the flu have also diminished. [covid booster.](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/coronavirus)

Find out how much the UK winter flu jab costs at Asda, Boots, Lloyds, Morrisons, Tesco and Well Pharmacy in 2022 – plus which is cheapest.

[Heading back to the office? There does not appear to be an online booking systems for Morrisons at this time. [Find out more »](https://metro.co.uk/news-updates-newsletter/) [Find out more on Well Pharmacy’s website](https://www.well.co.uk/vaccinations/flu-jabs) [Find out more on the Tesco website](https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/zone/pharmacy) [Find out more on](https://www.boots.com/online/pharmacy-services/winter-flu-jab-services) [Boots Pharmacy’s website](https://www.boots.com/online/pharmacy-services/winter-flu-jab-services) [](https://www.boots.com/online/pharmacy-services/winter-flu-jab-services) [Find out more on Superdrug’s website](https://www.superdrug.com/microsite/flu-jab) [Tesco Pharmacy](https://metro.co.uk/tag/tesco/). [Find out more on Lloyds Pharmacy’s website](https://lloydspharmacy.com/pages/flu-vaccination) [Find out more from Morrisons’ winter flu jab leaflet](https://my.morrisons.com/globalassets/hubs/pharmacy/mmm5484_1062173-pharmacy-flu-vaccine-leaflets-2pp-a5_ms-1.pdf) [Find out more on Kamsons Pharmacy’s website](https://www.kamsons.co.uk/services-treatments/flu-vaccination/?cn-reloaded=1) [Find out more on Asda’s website](https://www.asda.com/about/instore/pharmacy/flu)

Some health organisations urging everyone eligible for a free flu vaccine and a COVID-19 booster across the North West to take up the offer ahead of winter.

"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. As most young children will not have encountered flu yet they will not have built up any natural immunity to this virus, so, health bosses say, it is particularly important for them to take up the flu vaccine this year. People in the North West are being urged to take up their free flu jab and Covid-19 booster if they are

While some are skipping into winter clutching their pumpkin spiced latte, others are bracing for the cold and the return of their SAD.

The free NHS (or other locally funded) flu jab is available in most Boots pharmacies in England and Wales and in some Boots pharmacies in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Jersey. Some people who do not meet the requirements for a free NHS (or other locally funded) flu jab in pharmacies can access the flu jab from their GP or in Scotland, at a vaccination centre. And what about if you already got the jab last year? [boots.com/flu](http://boots.com/flu) for more details or speak to a member of the pharmacy team. Boots offer a free flu jab service for eligible adults, and a private winter flu jab services at a wide range of Boots locations. Getting the flu jab is the best way to help protect you and those around you against catching and spreading the virus.

Chief medical advisor for UKHSA, Dr Susan Hopkins, has flagged a strain of influenza called H3N2, warning: 'There are strong indications we could be facing the ...

[](https://metro.co.uk/2022/09/28/cheapest-flu-jabs-2022-how-much-are-they-at-asda-boots-and-teco-17466186/) [](https://metro.co.uk/2022/09/28/cheapest-flu-jabs-2022-how-much-are-they-at-asda-boots-and-teco-17466186/) [](https://metro.co.uk/2022/09/28/cheapest-flu-jabs-2022-how-much-are-they-at-asda-boots-and-teco-17466186/) [Should you get a flu jab ahead of winter? And can you have it if you’ve had the Covid-19 vaccine? [compare all of the 2022 prices ](https://metro.co.uk/2022/09/28/cheapest-flu-jabs-2022-how-much-are-they-at-asda-boots-and-teco-17466186/) [a](https://metro.co.uk/2022/09/28/cheapest-flu-jabs-2022-how-much-are-they-at-asda-boots-and-teco-17466186/) [n](https://metro.co.uk/2022/09/28/cheapest-flu-jabs-2022-how-much-are-they-at-asda-boots-and-teco-17466186/) [d](https://metro.co.uk/2022/09/28/cheapest-flu-jabs-2022-how-much-are-they-at-asda-boots-and-teco-17466186/) [b](https://metro.co.uk/2022/09/28/cheapest-flu-jabs-2022-how-much-are-they-at-asda-boots-and-teco-17466186/) [o](https://metro.co.uk/2022/09/28/cheapest-flu-jabs-2022-how-much-are-they-at-asda-boots-and-teco-17466186/) [o](https://metro.co.uk/2022/09/28/cheapest-flu-jabs-2022-how-much-are-they-at-asda-boots-and-teco-17466186/) [k](https://metro.co.uk/2022/09/28/cheapest-flu-jabs-2022-how-much-are-they-at-asda-boots-and-teco-17466186/) [o](https://metro.co.uk/2022/09/28/cheapest-flu-jabs-2022-how-much-are-they-at-asda-boots-and-teco-17466186/) [n](https://metro.co.uk/2022/09/28/cheapest-flu-jabs-2022-how-much-are-they-at-asda-boots-and-teco-17466186/) [l](https://metro.co.uk/2022/09/28/cheapest-flu-jabs-2022-how-much-are-they-at-asda-boots-and-teco-17466186/) [i](https://metro.co.uk/2022/09/28/cheapest-flu-jabs-2022-how-much-are-they-at-asda-boots-and-teco-17466186/) [n](https://metro.co.uk/2022/09/28/cheapest-flu-jabs-2022-how-much-are-they-at-asda-boots-and-teco-17466186/) [e](https://metro.co.uk/2022/09/28/cheapest-flu-jabs-2022-how-much-are-they-at-asda-boots-and-teco-17466186/) [here](https://metro.co.uk/2022/09/28/cheapest-flu-jabs-2022-how-much-are-they-at-asda-boots-and-teco-17466186/). If you do not have your flu vaccine at your GP surgery, you do not have to tell the surgery. Can you have the flu jab if you’ve had the Covid vaccine? You can have the NHS flu vaccine from: Yep, it’s fine to have the flu jab if you’ve had the Covid-19 vaccine. Most adults can have the flu vaccine, but the NHS advises anyone to avoid it if they’ve had a serious allergic reaction to a flu vaccine in the past. When is the best time to get the flu jab? So, if you are keen to get your flu jab, when is the best time to go? [urged the 33 million people eligible for a flu jab on the NHS to get the shot](https://metro.co.uk/2022/09/28/millions-must-get-covid-and-flu-jabs-to-avoid-twindemic-17464156/) – amid fears of a big winter flu season coinciding with [Covid-19](https://metro.co.uk/tag/coronavirus/) variants continuing to spread.