Dr Sarah Jarvis on boosting our immunity

In the absence of COVID-19 restrictions, health experts are warning of a potentially bad flu season alongside a projected wave of COVID-19 cases. This is due to colder weather which favours transmission, darker nights which mean increased social contact indoors where it is less well ventilated and expected lower immunity to flu due to lower levels in circulation last winter.

Around 15 million people have now received their COVID-19 Autumn booster in England and 16 million have had their flu vaccines as part of a huge national effort.

But with more than 40 million people in the UK being offered a flu vaccine, including young children who can become seriously ill with flu and approximately 26 million people invited for a COVID-19 autumn booster, millions are still unprotected and at risk of illness.

Which is why, as we approach the two-year anniversary of the approval of the COVID-19 vaccine the NHS, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Department of Health and Social Care have launched a new drive to encourage those eligible to come forward for their COVID-19 boosters and flu vaccines ahead of a busy Christmas period.

Aston spoke to Dr Sarah Jarvis.