We've got this potentially tough winter ahead and hopefully tens of millions of people are going to be getting flu and COVID vaccinations in the coming months. I wonder if we can just talk about the flu vaccine. Do you know how that's looking this year? How well matched that flu vaccine appears to be against the flu that is circulating in other parts of the world that may be coming here? It's actually looking quite good. Perhaps that's because influenza has been through such a hiatus and it's become a little bit more predictable, which are the strains of flu which are going to grow out.
As the UK heads into autumn, Covid-19 appears to be surging again. According to official data, 40,650 people tested positive in England in the seven days up to and including 24 September. This was an increase of 42% on the week before. But as we brace for another wave, experts are also concerned about a potential rise in influenza. Ian Sample speaks to Prof Peter Openshaw about the Omicron variant, why we’re at risk of a ‘twindemic’ this year and whether it’s time we all start taking more preventive measures. Help support our independent journalism at
theguardian.com/sciencepod