‘Don’t get complacent over flu’, public warned

People should“not be complacent” over flu, experts have said as new research has shown dire consequences of co-infection of flu and Covid -19.

Those infected with both flu and Covid-19 have a serious increased risk of death, Pub - lic Health England (PHE) said.

Officials warned that both

influenza and Covid-19 could be circulating at the same time as they urged people who are eligible to get vaccinated.

A new study has shown that during the first peak of the pandemic, people who were infected with both the new coronavirus and flu had a significantly higher risk of death.

While the numbers were small, the risk of death was nearly six times greater among those co-infected compared to the general population. The risk of death was also higher compared to being infected with Covid-19 alone.

P HE researchers an alysed data in almost 20,000 people who were tested for both Covid-19 and flu between 20 January and 25 April. Fifty eight were identified as having ‘co -infection’ of the two viruses.

Overall 43 percent of people with co-infection died compared to 27 p er cent of those who tested positive for Covid-19 alone.

Those who died“tended” to be older, PHE said. People more susceptible to the effects of flu are also more at risk from Covid-19, officials said.

PHE’S medical director Professor Y von ne Doyle, said: “We’re encouraging anybody who is eligible to accept their flu vaccination this year.”