a is a circulating right now, causing 97% of flu cases, but looking to china, i had us in terms of the doctor measures and progress through the covid pandemic, they have mainly influenza b so we re not certain, but the vaccines have a mix of strains so they will offer protection to multiple types of flu, we are trying to cover all bases, i would encourage people to get flu vaccines because we are so uncertain this year. vaccines because we are so uncertain this ear. ~ ., vaccines because we are so uncertain this ear. ~ . , . ., , this year. what difference does it make that covid-19 this year. what difference does it make that covid-19 and - this year. what difference does it make that covid-19 and flu - this year. what difference does it make that covid-19 and flu are i make that covid 19 and flu are circulating? make that covid-19 and flu are circulating? circulating? firstly hopefully eo - le circulating? firstly hopefully peeple are circulating? firstly hopefully people are st
usually, scientists study what s been circulating in the southern hemisphere to help formulate a flu jab months ahead. but, this year, the guesswork has been hampered by lockdowns disrupting the usual influenza patterns. if we look to australia, for example, we know that influenza a is circulating there right now, it s causing 97% of the flu cases. but if we look to china, which is ahead of us in terms of the lockdown measures and their progress through the covid pandemic, they have mainly influenza b, so we re not exactly certain, but the vaccines have a mix of strains in them, so they will offer protection for multiple different types of flu, so we re trying to cover all bases. flu normally kills around 11,000 people every winter, but a report published earlier this year from the academy of medical sciences warned respiratory illnesses could hit very high levels and flu deaths alone could reach 60,000 in a worst case scenario.
joining me now is dr naomi forrester soto, a virologist from keele university. how worried should be about covid and flu circulating together? that is about jewel and flu circulating together? that is aboutjewel infection and flu circulating together? that is about jewel infection at and flu circulating together? tryst is about jewel infection at the same is aboutjewel infection at the same time could lead to significantly worse outcomes. we have not yet experienced that because there was hardly any flu last year either because of lockdown or the precautions people were taking such as masquerading and social distancing. nobody is sure it s likely as the restrictions are easily liked end up with an increase of flu cases and there are predictions out there that suggest a flu season could be worse this year as a result of having none for the past year. fin as a result of having none for the ast ear. as a result of having none for the past year- past year. on the predictions element and
work out what strain we may face this ear? , ., work out what strain we may face this ear? ,., .., , , this year? there were some flu cases last ear this year? there were some flu cases last year and this year? there were some flu cases last year and we this year? there were some flu cases last year and we could this year? there were some flu cases last year and we could sequence - last year and we could sequence those and see what kind of genetics that flu had and then use a prediction tool to try and work out how much that is going to change. you have to develop a vaccine about six months and as lance, that s why something is a flu vaccine is better than others, we are better at it some years than others. in general, theissueis some years than others. in general, the issue is that nobody was exposed last year and we build up immunity over time and even that immunity from the previous year can help mitigate that from a slightly different flu vaccine this year. even though it has
employees will be forced out of work if the mask mandate remains in effect. the order is unfair, they say, because it does not apply to other city employees who routinely deal with the public and who are allowed to keep working if they submit to weekly covid testing in lieu of getting vaccinated. the emergency appeal is in the hands of justice sotomayor who s assigned to handle appeals of this kind from the region. she s expected to reply and may refer it to the full court for decision. just in time, a new clinical trial out of the uk finds there is no harm in getting a flu shot and a second dose of a covid-19 vaccine at the same time. the preliminary report has not been published in the scientific journal. many are bracing for a positive in flu cases as social distancing measures are relaxed. a group of 90,000 school board officials around the country is