As social contact returns to pre-pandemic norms there is likely to be a resurgence in influenza activity in winter 2022 to 2023 to levels similar to or higher than before the pandemic. The potential for co-circulation of influenza, COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses could add substantially to pressures in the NHS in 2022 to 2023, by addition, or by prolongation of the overall period for which respiratory viruses circulate in sequence.

NHS England continues to deliver the School Immunisation Programme to all Primary aged children this coming Flu season 2022/2023. Advice for the influenza vaccination programme however is still under review, but for winter 2022 to 2023, it is probable that Secondary schools will be included in the eligible cohorts. This inclusion has not yet been confirmed. Currently, NHS England is not able to confirm the Flu offer to Secondary schools however the aim is to continue reviewing this, in the hope that we can offer the vaccination to secondary school aged children. Year groups for secondary school are also being considered and no decisions will be made until a later date.

To this end it is strongly advised that if you have a young person who has any underlying conditions, suffers from Asthma etc that you contact your GP or one of the many places – pharmacies – who are offering walk in appointments.