in the past five years in england, deaths have averaged around 11,000 each winter but can be double that. health experts warn _ that this winter, we could see high levels of flu activity alongside rising cases of covid—19. - last winter, social distancing meant there was almost no flew around there was almost no flu around but there is concern that people could get the virus and be infected with covid at the same time. it is because of the significant risk to individuals of co—circulation, so the circulation together of both covid and flu, and the likelihood that will cause more serious disease and people are more likely to go to hospital. so who can get a free flu vaccine? it is more than 40 million people, a record number, including the over 50s, younger people with certain conditions, if you are pregnant, as well as health and care workers and children aged 2—16 who will be offered a nasal spray vaccine.