The British Liver Trust supports the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in urging everyone eligible for a free flu vaccine and a COVID-19 booster to take up the offer as soon as possible ahead of what could be a difficult winter with respiratory viruses circulating widely.
Which liver patients are eligible for the autumn booster?
- People with chronic liver disease
- People with a liver condition who are receiving immuno suppressive treatment
- People who have had a liver transplant
People who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression are also eligible to receive the booster as well as anybody over the age of 50.
Is the flu on the rise?
International surveillance shows that H3N2 – a subtype of influenza type A – is currently the most-commonly detected flu virus worldwide. H3N2 has recently caused waves of infection in southern hemisphere countries such as Australia, which has also experienced flu circulating earlier than usual in their winter season.
This H3N2 strain circulated in the UK last winter but was held largely in check by COVID-19 restrictions when people mixed a lot less and worked from home. This helped to protect people from catching flu but has also led to lower levels of natural immunity to this strain building up within the population.
In addition to the predicted flu wave, there are early indications that COVID-19 rates are beginning to rise ahead of winter, increasing the threat to people’s health. For all those who are eligible, taking up both the COVID-19 booster and the flu jab is an essential form of protection against the most severe respiratory viruses in circulation this winter.
Director of Communications and Policy at the British Liver Trust Vanessa Hebditch said: “Liver disease patients are among the highest risk groups when it comes to COVID-19 and flu and the vaccine is the best form of protection for them against these viruses.”
As well as taking up the vaccines, everyone is encouraged to help stop the spread of respiratory viruses this winter, remember these important steps to protect yourself:
- Wear a mask in areas where you’ll mix with other people
- Avoid crowded places especially indoors
- If you meet indoors make sure the area is fully ventilated
- Wash your hands regularly and for at least 20 seconds
- We have Distance Aware badges and lanyards available, if you want to politely remind others to give you space.
[su_box title=”FAQs for liver disease patients who are immunosuppressed ” box_color=”#a30059″]We are aware that if you or a loved one is immunosuppressed you have particular worries about the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the effectiveness of the vaccine. [sp_easyaccordion id=”39374″][/su_box]
