The flu has already been the cause of at least 18,000 deaths in the last two years, it has been revealed. Now the NHS has warned “the threat of winter viruses is all too real” as Brits get set to battle three major viruses - COVID-19, flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). How to tell if you have a cold, the flu or COVID-19 "Threat of winter viruses is all too real" - NHS warns of 'tripledemic' Flu and COVID-19 vaccines will begin rolling out from Thursday (October 3) in England for those eligible, including older people, care home residents and people with health conditions.
Some 11 million people have been invited to come forward for vaccinations, NHS England said. The latest roll-out comes after health officials raised concerns about a fall in the uptake of the flu vaccine (in England) after it emerged the illness had caused at least 18,000 deaths in the last two years, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). A little over four in 10 (41.
4%) people in clinical risk groups were vaccinated last winter compared with 49.1% in the previous year. The number of pregnant women jabbed fell to 32.
1% from 35%, while uptake among two and three-year-olds was around 44%, down from 42.3% and 45.1% respectively.
How to live longer Steve Russell, national director for vaccinations and screening at NHS England, said: “With new figures showing thousands of deaths associated with Covid and flu in recent years, it is clear that the threat of winter viruses is all too real.
