Government scientists have been encouraging people to get the flu jab this autumn after a study indicated that having both Covid-19 and the flu at the same time puts people at a significantly higher risk of death.
Research based on a small study of 58 hospital patients in England between January and April showed that those infected with both viruses were 2.27 times more likely to die than people with Covid-19 only, and 5.92 times more likely to die than those with neither Covid-19 nor the flu.
Why has Boots stopped flu jabs for under 65s?
Due to increased demand, Boots this week announced it is no longer taking flu jab bookings for people under 65 years old.
‘Due to unprecedented demand for flu vaccinations this year and stock availability for the flu vaccine recommended for under 65s, we have had to suspend bookings for anyone under the age of 65,’ the pharmacy chain said.
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Anyone under 65 who has already booked an appointment with Boots can still get their flu jab as planned.
While it’s too early to tell when or indeed if Boots will start offering the flu vaccine to under 65s again, the company has been careful to stress that the move is intended to be temporary, rather than a permanent stop.
Metro.co.uk has asked Boots for further details on the situation, and this article will be updated with the company’s response.
‘There is currently a limited supply of the vaccination the NHS recommends for over 65s, so we can continue to take bookings for these appointments for now,’ the Boots website states.
The winter flu programme has been expanded this year to include children who turned 11 by the end of August, anyone aged 50 and over and anyone living in a household with somebody on the NHS shielded patient list for Covid-19.
The government is aiming to give flu vaccinations to 30 million people in England by the end of 2020.
Where to get a flu jab
Children aged between six months and 17 years can get the flu vaccine for free, either via a nasal spray or injection, at school or their local GP surgery.
Adults should speak to their GP or practice nurse, or their local pharmacist, in order to book an appointment for a flu jab.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) links between 290,000 and 650,000 respiratory deaths globally each year with seasonal flu, a virus that’s constantly evolving.
Flu season in the UK usually spans December to March, and the best way to avoid getting the illness is to get vaccinated against it every year. The NHS say the best time to get the flu jab is in autumn.
You could still get the flu after being vaccinated, but the symptoms are likely to be milder and you should be able to recover more quickly from it.
MORE: When is flu season in the UK?
MORE: How to tell the difference between flu, a cold and coronavirus this winter
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source https://metro.co.uk/2020/09/23/flu-jab-boots-under-65s-when-available-13312344/
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