Flu could be a bigger problem than COVID this winter, experts warn.

Lockdowns, masks, social distancing, anti-bacterial hand gel and the increased focus on hand-hygiene practices have all played their part in helping us combat the Covid-19 pandemic. But a ‘curious’ thing has happened. Living by the mantra of “Hands, Space, Face” for the past 18 months, we have kept most other germs at bay, and this has resulted in a dramatic decline in Flu cases.

But, as life gets back to the new normal, schools reopen, and people are encouraged back into the workplace, we should expect to see a resurgence of these viruses – and perhaps a significant one as a result of a lack of exposure and subsequent drop in immunity among the population.

That is at least the concern of top scientists, virologists, and doctors, including Professor Anthony Harnden, Deputy Chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccinations. In a recent interview with the BBC, Harnden stated, “We’ve had a very, very low prevalence of flu for the last few years, particularly virtually nil during lockdown, and we do know that when flu has been circulating in very low numbers, immunity drops in the population, and it comes back to bite us”.

With flu “potentially being a larger concern than Covid-19 this winter”, TP Health are working closely with our clients to promote and develop accessible flu programmes to improve immunity in the workplace and across our communities.

If your organisation would like support in rolling out your workplace flu programme for 2021-2022 please contact flu@tphealth.co.uk

Source: The Guardian