Flu vaccines: more important than ever

According to the Royal College of General Practitioners, the prevalence of flu in the community in England was about 95% lower in the winter of 2020-21 than is typically expected.

Such a terrific result can be attributed in no small part to a committed programme of prevention:  the UK Government rolled out the largest flu vaccination programme in its history in 2021, with 35 million people offered the vaccine. This impressive campaign was implemented alongside the continuing preventative Covid-19 measures across the world which saw populations social distancing and wearing masks indoors, behaviours known to dampen the spread of all respiratory infections.

PREVENTING A TWINDEMIC

This year we may not be so lucky: NHS England has announced that it will be scaling down last year’s mammoth effort. For 2022/2023 flu jabs are only to be offered to patients in groups who were eligible for vaccination before the pandemic. At the same time, the government is ‘not expected’ to procure central stocks of vaccine. This is a huge step back from previous years, when the government effectively secured a stockpile of vaccines that GP practices can draw on if they experience shortages or delays to supplies.

Looking ahead to winter 2022/2023, there is every possibility that, now society has begun to return to “normal” and restrictions across the country are eased, the flu could return in full force amongst a population with weakened immunity.

Research has already been carried out into the potential effects of a ‘twindemic’, in which flu and Covid-19 circulate freely within the population together: a recent report found that Covid-19 patients infected with the flu were twice as likely to die as those who didn’t also have flu. 

According to the latest NHS guidance, beating the flu in 2022 is a priority: ‘Seasonal flu vaccination remains an important public health intervention and a key priority for 2022/23 to reduce morbidity, mortality and hospitalisation associated with flu at a time when the NHS and social care will be managing winter pressures, potentially including further outbreaks of COVID-19.’

FUTUREPROOF THE HEALTH OF YOUR WORKFORCE

Many businesses are now looking to get ahead of the issue by offering their workforce a flu vaccination this autumn, to futureproof against staff illness through the winter months. It has been established that minor illnesses – which include coughs, colds and the flu – are the cause of over 25% of all staff absences at work. The impact of flu also costs employers money: research from the International Longevity Centre UK found that, amongst the over-50, flu cost around 159 million working days in 2018, the economic impact of which is equivalent to $39 billion (or £30 billion).

Employers can help to do their bit to lessen the threat posed by flu by offering vaccinations to their employees this autumn - and Citi Health can help to make the process simple and fuss-free.

** Find out more about Citi Health’s workplace Flu Vaccination service

** Arrange a workplace flu vaccination clinic with Citi Health

How Occupational Health assessments are helping employers to navigate a post-Covid-19 workplace

Many employers find that Occupational Health can play a huge part in adjusting to new working practices

As employees return to their places of work across the country post-lockdown Occupational Health assessments are playing a huge part in helping employers adjust to a new normal. Here one of our Occupational Health advisers explains how OH is helping employers and employees to navigate a time of great change in the workplace

Q: The Covid-19 pandemic has put more pressure on employers in terms of their responsibilities towards their employees. Do you see an increased need for the insights which Occupational Health assessments are able to offer?

A: OH practitioners have been providing timely and up-to-date advice to employers and employees to assist in management of health and wellbeing throughout the pandemic. They have also been able to manage expectations during a time when employers and employees have navigated extensive changes to workplace practices.

Q: How has the impact of Long Covid affected Occupational Health and what can Occupational Health assessments do to help?

A: Long Covid has raised complex health issues, and OH assessments are consistently evolving through evidence-based research. We can advise on reasonable adjustments, as well as signposting patients to their GP or other relevant support services. A range of support services are also available to employees either online, via apps or through local services, particularly with regards to mental health.

Q: How do you think Citi Health assessments are able to help companies to best support their employees? For instance, do you think talking to a neutral medical professional helps, rather than HR departments?

A: Experienced practitioners can provide guidance to both employer and employees on health and work-related issues in line with pertinent legislation and evidence-based research as well as signposting to other useful services.

Q: Have you noticed changes in any of the issues you see coming up with employees in the past five years?

A: During the initial Covid-19 pandemic referrals became more complex. We saw more referrals due to underlying health issues that may not have previously been raised, for instance we see more extremely vulnerable workers. Anxiety, depression, and mental health issues have also significantly increased due to changes in the way people are working.

If you’d like to find out more about Citi Health’s fast, reliable Occupational Health Assessments, just get in touch on 0203 633 6301 or email contact@citihealth.co.uk

Occupational Health Assessments explained

Citi Health always aims to arrange a full occupational health assessment, carried out by qualified consultants, within five days of receiving a request

Michaela Longmore RGN is an experienced healthcare professional with an extensive career spanning several decades working in the NHS and the corporate sector.  Her career includes working in hospitals, offices and within the community.

She is the coordinator of Citi Health’s Occupational Health (OH) service, which offers quick, fuss-free employee assessments with an experienced consultant. In our latest blog, Michaela answers some frequently asked questions about Occupational Health and explains the process for booking an OH appointment.

Q: What are Occupational Health Assessments?

A: OH assessments assist employers to support their employees in the workplace.  An OH assessment will assess the impact of work on health and health on work; it incorporates a holistic approach taking account of biopsychosocial issues and allows the OH professional to advise both management and employees on health matters impacting on or by work.   A comprehensive and timely report is formulated following an OH assessment supported by evidence-based practice and relevant legislation.  This report advises employers and employees on work/health matters, including but not restricted to return to work/rehabilitation programmes, redeployment, risk assessments, DSE, pregnancy and the Equality Act 2010

Q: When might an Occupational Health Assessment be required?

A: If an employee is returning from sick leave, or planning a course of treatment while working, their employer might want to check they have the support needed in place at work; alternately an employee might start working from home, and an assessment could help to customise their working space.

There are also particular legal requirements for specific workplaces: some jobs require full or partial medicals, vision tests, or vaccination programmes to be carried out as stand-alone or regular health surveillance.  Where required OH provides stand-alone or regular health surveillance to support employers with specific legal workplace requirements.

In some cases, an employer may want to determine whether an employee is suffering from stress and explore if that stress is work-related or not.  OH can make recommendations to employers on how to support an employee who reports work-related stressors.

Q: How does the process of booking an Occupational Health Assessment work?

A: Our aim is to arrange an assessment within five days of receiving a completed referral form by the employer’s HR department or line manager. Assessments can be conducted with the employee at home in a relaxed environment, either on the phone, on a video call or face to face with one of our OH clinicians. The final encrypted report is released to the employee and with employee consent, after which the report is released to the employer. 

The aim is to provide the final encrypted report to the employer within seven days of the assessment.

Q: Is an Occupational Health Assessment a legal requirement for employers?

A: No, however employers have a legal duty as outlined in legislation to protect the health and wellbeing of their employees as far as reasonably practicable.  The legislation which employers must be aware of sets out steps which employers must take to act accordingly to ensure all workplace risks are identified, and steps taken to remove or reduce those risks to ensure the health and wellbeing of their staff whilst at work. 

Q: Who can carry out an Occupational Health assessment?

A: Any healthcare professional who has the appropriate qualifications can become an OH assessor.

Q: What is the feedback from employers on your Occupational Health reports?

A: Citi Health works with an experienced OH consultant with a well-established track record. This gives employers tremendous confidence in our work, and we also hear that our service is better tailored to the client than some larger-scale providers can manage.  

Our clients say they appreciate the consistency of a single point of contact, who provides support and guidance regarding any OH concerns; if we can’t help directly we will always try to find someone who can.

Feedback has also highlighted that Citi Health reports are clear and extremely detailed, and focused on helping employers to arrive at the best decisions for all parties going forward, rather than just confirming what employers may have already known themselves.

If you’d like to find out more about Citi Health’s express Occupational Health Assessments, just get in touch on 0203 633 6301 or email contact@citihealth.co.uk

Preparing for a challenging Winter 2020/2021 report

The report out today from the Academy of Medical Sciences titled ‘Preparing for a challenging winter 2020/21’ outlines that the UK is facing a major threat from a combination of Covid, influenza and other respiratory illnesses this winter.

A combination of all 3 and a harsh winter will overwhelm the capabilities of the NHS and may result in thousands of hospitalisations and possible deaths.

The report urges action now during the months of July and August in preparation.

Read the full report here

https://acmedsci.ac.uk/more/news/winter-viruses-and-covid-19-could-push-nhs-to-breaking-point-warns-new-report

Academy of Medical Sciences

15.07.2021

10 things you’ve always wanted to know about the flu vaccine, (and why you should book one)!

1)         This year is likely to be a bad one for the flu:

One of England’s top medics, Dr Susan Hopkins of Public Health England warned that this year, we need to be especially vigilant.

2)         Flu is not a bad cold.

It’s a debilitating viral infection, and because of that, it can’t be dealt with antibiotics. Its common features include fever, chills, headache, aches, and pains in the joints and muscles, and extreme tiredness. Healthy individuals usually recover within seven days, but for some, it may drag on, lead hospitalisation, permanent disability, or even in worse cases, death.

3)         Flu is highly contagious!

It causes hundreds of thousands of hospitalisations and deaths each year. The vaccine is available every year. A flu vaccine can reduce your chances of getting flu by up to 60%. Some additional complications from flu can include sinusitis, ear infections, pneumonia, and sepsis

4)         The vaccine is safe?

Some groups should not take it including babies and those with egg allergies, but on the whole, it’s super safe.

5)         What does the vaccine contain? 

The vaccine doesn't contain live flu viruses and therefore cannot result in a case of the flu. Essentially egg protein, but vegan versions can be found. Since 2018-19, a new vaccine has been developed using cell culture instead of eggs. This vaccine is less likely to adapt as it has been developed Since 2018-19, a new vaccine has been developed using cell cultures similar to human cells.

6)         Are there any common side effects of the vaccine?

Thankfully, side effects are not common but of course, some people do have them. On the whole, they tend to be mild and short-lived. The most common is a reaction at the injection site – so a soreness or slight swelling for a few days. Other side effects are headaches or some pains in muscles. Again, this is usually just a few days. Some people might experience dizziness and fainting, but that’s rare. Having a small snack before your shot might help. A slight fever (around 38 degrees) is considered a mild side effect and again disappears after a short while.

7)         How is flu caused?

In its simplest, the influenza virus infects the windpipe and lungs. It’s caused by a virus and not bacteria, so antibiotics won’t work. If you have any concerns, we’re happy to help at CitiHealth.

8)         How do you catch the flu?

Flu is very contagious. When you’ve been around anyone infected, you might breathe in tiny droplets of infected air whenever they sneeze or cough. Even touching the same surfaces as they have would do it. It’s highly infectious.

9)         When is flu season?

Flu season starts in October and runs until May. It’s, therefore, best to have the vaccine from late September or early October. The flu vaccine for each winter helps protect against the strains of flu that are likely to be present and may be different from those circulating last year.

10)       Widespread use of the flu vaccination could save up to £28.9 million in averted sick day costs, in addition to increased productivity at work.

Private companies can reserve their vaccines now, help to protect their staff, and ease the burden on the NHS.

Ask you HR Department about workplace flu vaccinations.

https://www.citihealth.co.uk/flu-vaccinations

Flu could be a bigger problem than Covid in the UK this winter

The latest article in The Guardian suggests Flu could be a bigger problem than Covid-19 in the UK this winter, a senior government vaccine adviser has said, with low prevalence over the past months possibly leading to a drop in immunity among the population.

Prof Anthony Harnden, the deputy chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, said research was being carried out on whether flu vaccines could be given alongside coronavirus vaccines this autumn.

“I will emphasise that actually flu could be potentially a bigger problem this winter than Covid,” Harnden told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

“We’ve had a very, very low prevalence of flu for the last few years, particularly virtually nil during lockdown, and we do know that when flu has been circulating in very low numbers immunity drops in the population, and it comes back to bite us.

Article By Damian Gayle ,The Guardian 21st June 2021

Read the full article below

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jun/21/flu-could-be-a-bigger-problem-than-covid-in-uk-this-winter

Why you should get the flu vaccine if you work in film or TV

With long hours, and often self-employed staff who are on-site much of the time, the potential for the virus to spread around film and TV sets is rife. And with things cranking up, cinemas opening up May, and TV productions getting back onto the set, there’s no better time to consider protecting yourself.

A recent report, The Looking Glass, found UK’s film, TV, and cinema workforce work long and intense hours, with more than two-thirds (78%) saying they struggled to strike a balance with commitments outside of work. And now that things are picking up for the first time since the coronavirus hit, work is already getting busy.  BFI shows a £1.19bn upturn in the final quarter signals significant recovery in film and high-end TV production.

For those interested in a little history by the way – have a look at this: how the silent film industry was almost swept away by the flu.

Why everyone should have the flu vaccine this year.

Every year the flu virus hits the UK with devastating results. On average flu kills some 11,000 Brits a year, while hospitalising many more. In fact the biggest hit was in 2017 to 2018 when flu deaths catapulted to 22,000 people in the UK – the worst yet. And there’s fears that numbers are starting to crawl up again.

One of England’s top medics, Dr Susan Hopkins of Public Health England warned that this year, we need to be especially vigilant. Hopkins and her team warn that the population hasn’t built up any immunity to non-Covid viruses, essentially because we’ve not really been exposed to one another. She said the UK must ‘prepare for a hard winter’ and warned the NHS needed to be ready for surges in flu – possibly even a faster-spreading variant.  Her warnings came as we enter lockdown easing.

For a straightforward and flexible way to protect your production staff, speak to us at CitiHealth. We work with many film and TV organisations and can find a vaccination plan that best suits your needs.

UK advised to prepare now for a 'hard winter' of flu by Public Health England

The UK must prepare for a "hard winter" because the population immunity to respiratory viruses other than Covid could be lower than usual, one of England's top medics has warned.

Dr Susan Hopkins said the NHS must be "ready" for surges in flu and other similar illnesses.

It comes ahead of England's first step towards easing lockdown, with all pupils returning to school on Monday.

Most pupils have been learning from home since Christmas.

Dr Hopkins, who is in charge of Public Health England's Covid strategy, said the UK needed to be "better prepared" than it was last autumn, when new, faster-spreading variants of the virus emerged.

These drove infection rates up and forced further lockdown measures over the winter.

Dr Hopkins told the BBC's The Andrew Marr Show: "I think we have to prepare for a hard winter, not only with coronavirus, but we've had a year of almost no respiratory viruses of any other type. And that means, potentially the population immunity to that is less.

"So we could see surges in flu. We could see surges in other respiratory viruses and other respiratory pathogens."

Dr Hopkins said her role as a government advisor was to "prepare for worst-case scenarios".

"It doesn't mean that they'll necessarily happen, but my job is to make sure that we have options available for the country in case things are not as satisfactory as we'd all like them to be," she said.

During last year's winter, some 30 million people - more than ever before - were invited to get a free flu jab as ministers feared the dual threat it posed alongside coronavirus.

Flu can be a serious condition - it kills around 11,000 people in England each year and many more people receive hospital treatment for it.