This year’s campaign to get a free annual flu jab has been expanded this year to protect more people amid the COVID-19 second wave.
Public Health England (PHE) is calling on all eligible people to get vaccinated against flu to protect them from a greater risk of the worst consequences of coronavirus.
The vaccine is offered every year to those most at risk, including older people, those with long-term health conditions, frontline health and social care workers, pregnant women and younger children.
This year for the first time, it is also being offered to people aged between 50 and 64 and to Year 7 schoolchildren.
Research by PHE suggests the risk of death more than doubled for people who tested positive for both flu and COVID-19, compared to those with COVID-19 alone. Most cases of co-infection earlier in the year were among older people and more than half of them died.
Flu is also a serious illness in its own right and kills, on average, 11,000 people in England each year and hospitalises many more.
Usually the vaccine is offered via an injection but can be given in a nasal spray for those who fear needles.
It is available via GPs or pharmacies. Those eligible for a free flu jab should receive reminders prompting them to book their appointment.