As we prepare for colder days and look forward to more indoor gatherings and seasonal social events with friends and family, now is an ideal time to recall guidance on vaccinations, quarantine, good respiratory etiquette, wearing masks and other behaviors that can reduce the spread of respiratory infections, which are known to peak in the fall and winter.
The early start of the current flu season and the emergence of the prevalent influenza A(H3N2) strain have raised some concerns. Initial data from the UKHSA has provided a rapid assessment of the effectiveness of this season’s flu vaccine.. This shows that the flu vaccine effectively prevents hospitalization in children and adults. There are currently no changes to the advice on what to do if you have or think you may have COVID-19, influenza (flu) or other respiratory infection.
The vaccine helps protect the most vulnerable people from getting serious illness or being hospitalized, and we strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated against flu as soon as possible. Vaccines are still our best defense.
What are the current guidelines for preventing getting or spreading respiratory disease?
Below is a list of simple steps you can take to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections and protect those most at risk.
- Get vaccinated when eligible
- If you are unwell, stay home
- If you meet other people indoors, bring in fresh air.
- Practice good hygiene:
- Cough into your bent elbow or use a tissue before throwing it in the nearest trash can.
- Wash your hands frequently for 20 seconds with warm, soapy water.
- Clean your surroundings frequently, especially frequently touched areas such as door handles.
- Wear a mask:
- If you are in close contact with someone who is at high risk of becoming seriously ill from a respiratory infection
- When there is a lot of respiratory virus circulating and people come into close contact with other people in a crowded and confined space.
When should I wear a mask?
with other people Measures specified in current guidanceFace coverings continue to be a useful tool in some situations to limit the spread of respiratory viruses.
As stated in existing guidance, wearing a well-fitting mask when unwell can reduce the number of particles containing the virus released from the mouth and nose of a person with a respiratory infection.
Face coverings may also protect the wearer from becoming infected with other respiratory viruses.
Here’s more information about when people with symptoms of a respiratory infection should wear a face covering in the hospital.Guidance for people with symptoms of respiratory infection.
What should I do if symptoms appear?
If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection and have a high fever or do not feel well enough to go to work or perform normal activities, stay home and avoid contact with others until you no longer have a high fever (if you have a high temperature) or are no longer feeling unwell.
If you must go out, avoid close contact with people nearby.Higher risk of seriously ill health.
Should I get the flu, COVID-19, or RSV vaccine?
The flu can be particularly dangerous for certain groups, so they may be eligible for a vaccination program. These include:maternity,young childrenPeople with certain long-term health problems and people over 65 years of age. A full list of eligible individuals can be found here.
For people at higher risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19, the NHS is also offering free vaccines in the autumn and winter. Check out the list of eligible people here.
RSV can be especially dangerous for infants and the elderly. Pregnant women at or after week 28 and everyone ages 75 to 79 or who turns 80 after September 1, 2024, can get the vaccine to protect themselves or their babies against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Should I get the flu, whooping cough, and RSV vaccine while pregnant?
Pregnancy changes the way your body handles infections and may limit the depth of your breathing as your baby grows and puts pressure on your lungs. This may make you more susceptible to serious complications from the flu, such as pneumonia. Getting the flu during pregnancy can cause premature birth or low birth weight, and if infected right before birth, it can be passed on to the newborn. Babies under 6 months of age have one of the highest rates of hospitalization for the flu each season. Getting the flu vaccine during pregnancy means you develop an immune response (including antibodies) to the vaccine. Protective antibodies are passed to the baby through the placenta and help protect the baby during the first few months of life. You can get the flu vaccine at any stage of your pregnancy, starting from the beginning of pregnancy.
The best way to protect your baby from RSV infection is for the mother to be vaccinated during pregnancy. Getting vaccinated reduces your baby’s risk of serious RSV lung infection by about 70% during the first six months of life.
If you are pregnant, you may be able to get the whooping cough (whooping cough) vaccine to help protect your baby during the first few months of life. The disease can spread at any time of the year, including winter. A vaccine called ADACEL is usually given to prevent whooping cough, diphtheria, and tetanus.
All vaccines go through a regulatory approval process to ensure they meet rigorous safety and efficacy tests. And it’s okay to get the jab at any stage of pregnancy. In the UK, millions of women have received the flu vaccine during pregnancy when it was introduced in 2011. Flu, pertussis, and RSV vaccines do not contain live viruses and cannot infect the fetus.
What should I do if my child is unwell?
Current guidance for parents states that it is okay to send children to school with minors.coughorcold. However, children should not be sent to school if their temperature is above 38°C or if they feel unable to go to school or carry out normal activities. reference NHS ‘Is my child too sick to go to school?’ guideFor more information
Health and education experts broadly agree that school attendance is critical to the life chances of children and young people. Regular school attendance improves children’s mental and physical health, wellbeing and socialization throughout their lives.
This year, flu shot nasal sprays will be available in schools to school-age children and youth through 11th grade. Parents must verify and return the electronic or paper consent form upon request.
If you have a child who will be 2 or 3 years old on 31 August 2025 (born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2023), you can book a flu vaccine at your GP practice.Find out more on the NHS website..
Following these guidelines will help you and your family avoid respiratory illness this winter. If someone close to you is eligible, encourage them to get vaccinated. This will reduce your risk of getting a serious illness this season.
