Flu could pose a bigger problem than covid in the UK

The gripe could become a problem bigger than covid for the upcoming British winter, according to an adviser to the Vaccination and Immunization Committee from United Kingdom. This is because the low incidence of this virus during the last months could cause a minimal immunity among citizens.

The vice president of the Committee, Anthony Harnden, explained that they are still investigating if they will be able to provide the flu vaccine this fall simultaneously to that of the covid. “We have had a very low prevalence of the flu in recent years. Virtually nil during closing. We know that when the flu has been circulating in very low numbers immunity falls on the population. But then it comes back to bite us. So flu can be very important this winterHarnden explains, concerned.

On the other hand, in a statement, the director of NHS, Chris Hopson, noted that it aims to administer the first doses of this vaccine to adults with reinforcement for possible pandemic waves. This initiative will also be in charge of the President of the Royal College, Martin Marshall. “We will have to live with the Covid virus for a long time. We must build a set of defenses long-term, like the flu, ”Hopson and Marshall noted.

Booster vaccination against possible flu or covid waves could be possible

In the statement, they both ask each other a series of questions. The main question is whether the duration of the immunity from covid vaccines will need a booster; as well as whether it will be possible to inoculate different vaccines to those previously administered. On the other hand, another question they raise is whether the flu and covid vaccines can be combined safely. As well as wondering if there will be vaccination staff without health training for make faster the process. Representatives Marshall and Hopson stressed that they need to know the answer to these questions, as the flu vaccination campaign begins in September.

The British Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, assured that it aims to schedule a booster vaccination. In addition, the Government awaits the results of the investigation to determine whathe vaccines might be more helpful for this purpose. In relation to this statement, the Department of Health and Social Assistance stated: «Final decisions on the reinforcement program will ultimately depend on the data from clinical trials. At this time the trials that are taking place are that of Cov-Boost and that of independent advice from the medical experts of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI).

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