The cast and crew on Film & TV productions often end up working long and unpredictable hours in close proximity. Schedules are tight, and any unplanned setbacks in terms of illness can be costly and disruptive.
We all know that the flu can run through large numbers of people quickly, leaving staff unable to work for significant amounts of time and now, with Covid still circulating, it’s more important than ever to protect your employees in any way you can to ensure against viruses this winter.
According to The Lancet the return of influenza as a major public health issue in 2022 now appears inevitable: the data coming out of Australia helps to predict what is to come in the northern hemisphere, and this year 85% of influenza cases there were due to influenza A(H3N2), which is known to cause more severe epidemics.
A sharp increase in Australian infections was likely driven by the relaxation of Covid measures and the low proportion of the population vaccinated against influenza. Because there has been little natural influenza infection since 2020, herd immunity against current viruses across the world is likely to be substantially lower compared with previous years.
As a specialist provider of flu vaccines to Film and TV productions across the country, Citihealth is advising studios and production companies not to wait to vaccinate against flu this year, as experts are predicting a potentially serious outbreak across the UK.
Steve Russell, NHS England’s director for vaccinations and screening said: “This winter could be the first time we see the effects of the so-called twindemic with both Covid and flu in full circulation, so it is vital that those most susceptible to serious illness from these viruses come forward for vaccines in order to protect themselves and those around them.”
Dr Thomas Waite, England’s deputy chief medical officer, added: “Vaccines have saved many lives over the years for both flu and more recently Covid. But we must not be complacent – infections will rise once again this winter, so it’s really important people get both their Covid and flu vaccines.”
There only a finite stock of this year’s flu vaccine within the UK and Citihealth can ensure your entire production is vaccinated quickly and easily to prevent any delays in your schedule due to a flu outbreak. Our past Film and TV clients include Netflix, Warner Bros, CNN, Shepperton Studios, Leavesden Studios and West London Studios, and we offer studio, on-set and location vaccination services nationwide.
Our system lets staff book their own vaccinations online at a time which suits them, so it’s simple to ensure your staff are protected against the flu for the coming winter season.
To find out more contact Gayle Anderson 0203 633 6301; 07900 923 510 or email gayle@citihealth.co.uk.
Read more about our work for Film and TV productions at www.citihealth.co.uk/film-and-tv.
