How the COVID 19 pandemic will shape influenza public health initiatives: The UK experience

ABSTRACT

Although caused by different pathogens, COVID-19 and influenza share many clinical features, as well as the potential for inflammatory, cardiovascular, and other long-term complications. During the 2020–2021 influenza season, COVID-19 mitigation efforts and a robust influenza vaccination campaign led to an unprecedented reduction in influenza cases. The lack of exposure to influenza, along with antigenic changes, may have reduced population immunity to influenza and set the stage for a high severity influenza season in 2021–2022. For the second consecutive season, the UK Department of Health and Social Care has expanded influenza vaccine eligibility to mitigate the impact of both COVID-19 and influenza. Continuation of clear policy decisions, as well as ongoing coordination between manufacturers, distributors, health authorities, and healthcare providers, is key to reducing the burden of influenza and COVID-19 and preventing large numbers of severe cases that can overwhelm the healthcare system.

KEYWORDS:

• Influenza
• COVID-19
• pandemic
• vaccination
• public health initiatives

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Acknowledgments

We thank consultants C. Gordon Beck and Amanda M. Justice for editorial assistance in the preparation of this article.

Disclosure statement

MA and SR are employees of Seqirus, London, Ltd.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Seqirus Inc.