Doctor says not to get flu jab at same time as covid vaccine
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Marc Donovan, the chief pharmacist at Boots, said: “Flu can be a nasty virus that makes you feel extremely unwell, and it can pose a serious risk to older people and others in vulnerable categories.” By September, most adults would have had both Covid jabs and Donovan wants to ensure the public are also protected from the flu. “Increased take up of flu vaccinations will not only protect you, but also protect the NHS from being overwhelmed by serious flu cases,” Donovan explained.
Free flu jabs will be given on behalf of the NHS to adults aged 50 and over, and those under 50 who have certain health conditions, and carers.
People who are not eligible for a free NHS flu jab can pay £14.99 to receive the protective jab.
“My advice to people is to make sure they are protected from flu by booking a vaccination as early as possible,” said Donovan.
To help the country reduce the risk of a serious influenza epidemic – on top of the predicted rise in Covid cases come winter – Boots aims to deliver over three times the number of vaccinations they did last year.
In order for this ambition to be achieved, Boots is going to create designated spaces in over 100 of its pharmacies.
The expansion of the Boots vaccination hubs will be located in city centre stores throughout the UK.
Currently, the Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI) advised that Covid booster jabs should be administered in the UK from September – the same time that the flu vaccinations will go ahead.
How does the flu jab interact with the Covid jab?
Researchers at University College London Hospitals have begun the ComFluCOV study into this subject area.
DON’T MISS
Sajid Javid says easing Covid restrictions will help cut NHS backlog [REVEAL]
Do I have to self-isolate if I’m pinged by NHS contact tracing app? [UPDATE]
Gran furious after arrest at GP surgery when she ‘begged to see medic’ [INSIGHT]
The research team are currently investigating the side effects and immune response when participants are given a Covid and flu jab at the same time.
Express.co.uk contacted the ComFluCOV media team for the latest results of the research and are awaiting a response.
Both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca Covid jabs will be utilised in the clinical trials, with recruitment ongoing until 756 people sign up to be involved in the research study.
The flu vaccination
The NHS emphasised the importance of the flu vaccination, stating that if you get the flu and Covid at the same time, you’re more likely to be seriously ill.
By getting the flu jab, you’ll be helping ease the pressure on the NHS at a time when Covid admissions are expected to increase.
“If you’ve had COVID-19, it’s safe to have the flu vaccine,” reassured the NHS.
Frontline health and social care workers are also eligible for a free flu jab.
Meanwhile, Boots will offer 52,000 of its colleagues a free flu jab for the second year running.
“If you have your flu vaccine at a pharmacy, [such as Boots] you do not have to tell the GP. The pharmacist should tell them,” the NHS pointed out.
The flu vaccination gives the best protection against flu viruses, but it doesn’t guarantee that you won’t get the flu.
However, if you do catch the flu, symptoms are likely to be milder and shorter in duration.
“Having the flu vaccine will also stop you spreading flu to other people who may be more at risk of serious problems from flu,” added the NHS.
Source: Read Full Article