Flu Vaccination and COVID 19 risk

Demand for flu vaccine soars as countries plan for second Covid-19 wave

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jun/14/countries-scramble-for-flu-vaccines-to-ease-pressure-of-second-coronavirus-19-wave

Officials in the UK are considering whether to offer flu shots to everyone

The possible beneficial adjuvant effect of influenza vaccine to minimize the severity of COVID-19

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7194943/

Resultant immunity against prior influenza infection would, at least in part, foster immunity against SARS-CoV-2.

Public Health England

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/national-flu-immunisation-programme-2020-2021.pdf

It is more important than ever that we have effective plans in place for the 2020/21 flu season to protect those at risk, prevent ill-health and minimise further impact on the NHS and social care

The Dual Epidemics of COVID-19 and Influenza (JAMA 11 June)

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2767284

Likelihood of co-epidemics of COVID-19 and influenza

Considerable morbidity and mortality

Stressing the health system

2018 – 2019 flu session, US

35.5 million influenza cases

490 600 hospitalizations

34 200 deaths related to influenza

Vaccination prevented

4.4 million influenza cases

58 000 hospitalizations

3500 deaths

Seasonal influenza vaccines have variable year-to-year effectiveness

Can significantly reduce morbidity and mortality, especially with high coverage
Advocates mass flu vaccination

BUT

Increased Risk of Noninfluenza Respiratory Virus Infections Associated With Receipt of Inactivated Influenza Vaccine (Clinical Infective Diseases, 2012)

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3404712/

Influenza vaccination is effective in preventing influenza virus infection and associated morbidity among school-aged children

Randomized placebo-controlled trial of influenza vaccination

115 participants were followed up for 272 days

Flu vac group had higher risk of Ac..