Clinically Vulnerable Families 💙💜💗

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene 10h Wearing a mask in crowded indoor settings this fall can protect you and others from COVID-19, flu, and RSV, even if you don't have symptoms. Well-fitting masks, like N95s, KN95s, or KF94s provide the best protection: on.nyc.gov/3U2bq5n Wear a Mask This Fall NYC Health Image of 2 yellow emoji people. One wearing a respirator and happy and the other sneezing on a US subway strain with leaves blowing out the windows and a NYC skyline.

Imagine if the @ukhsa.bsky.social had posted this....

Perhaps the impending winter crisis would be reduced or averted, and people would be healthier?

This year I had to pay privately for a covid vaccination, but I am fortunate that I was able to afford that. Many can't and quite frankly shouldn't have to. Please sign and share.

Petition: Fund NHS COVID boosters for Clinically Vulnerable people – keep covid boosters 'Protect the NHS' and 'Save Lives' by continuing to fund NHS COVID boosters for Clinically Vulnerable people, including most previously shielded as CEV, rather than limiting them to over-75s, care hom...

Sign and share our petition:

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...

Read in full:
inews.co.uk/news/68-diab...

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I'm 68 and have diabetes - I need the Covid jab but can't afford it' Clifford Clarkson fears catching Covid-19 after the NHS changed the eligibility rules for the vaccine Clifford Clarkson is worried about getting Covid at work Felix Armstrong Image: headshot of white older man wearing brown cowboy style hat and camouflage jacket with grass behind.

Missed this by @felixkarmstrong.bsky.social

"The 68-year-old from Hertfordshire works as a Santa in Christmas grottos and fears he will catch Covid-19 from the hundreds of children he will see each day because he cannot yet afford to buy a Covid jab privately."

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Black background with white and red text: NEW CONCERNING FLU STRAINS FOR 2025 MEAN THE NHS FLU PLAN IS KICKING IN... [Image: stop watch] FLU? 48HRS TO ACT... You will qualify for antivirals if you are in a risk group: Under 6 months Pregnant Over 65 years Clinically Vulnerable You don't need a positive test. Contact your GP or 111: IF EXPOSED TO SOMEONE WITH FLU OR, YOU HAVE RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS Clinically Vulnerable Families [logo]

For some, the first 48 hrs of 'flu are critical.

Call your GP or 111 for treatment if you receive an NHS 'flu vaccine based on risk, even if you have only been exposed.

❤️+ ♻️ + bookmark

[You may save / share our image]

Black background with white and red text: NEW CONCERNING FLU STRAINS FOR 2025 MEAN THE NHS FLU PLAN IS KICKING IN... [Image: stop watch] FLU? 48HRS TO ACT... You will qualify for antivirals if you are in a risk group: Under 6 months Pregnant Over 65 years Clinically Vulnerable You don't need a positive test. Contact your GP or 111: IF EXPOSED TO SOMEONE WITH FLU OR, YOU HAVE RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS Clinically Vulnerable Families [logo]

For some, the first 48 hrs of 'flu are critical.

Call your GP or 111 for treatment if you receive an NHS 'flu vaccine based on risk, even if you have only been exposed.

❤️+ ♻️ + bookmark

[You may save / share our image]

Image of website, persona coughing and masking. NHK WORLD JAPAN Live & Catch Up News Top Japan Features Weather Earthquake Video NHK Tokyo issues first influenza warning for November since 2009

🇬🇧🇺🇸 The UK and US are failing to manage 'flu risks.

🇯🇵 Japan has declared a 'flu epidemic.
People asked to:

😷Mask when appropriate
🧼Wash hands
👨‍👩‍👧‍👧Avoid crowded places
🏫Some schools have even closed temporarily

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Nationwide epidemic declared in Japan as flu season hits early The government has declared a nationwide flu epidemic, prompting calls for vaccinations and heightened vigilance.

Links from posts 1 and 2:

1.
www.scmp.com/week-asia/he...

2.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/influenza-va...

UKHSA advertisement: COUGH LIKE DRACULA Coughing into your elbow as if you're lifting a cape is a frightfully easy way to keep germs from spreading even beyond Halloween.

Clinically Vulnerable Families response: MASK LIKE DRACULA Airborne germs float like mist. Wearing a well-fitted FFP2 / FFP3 mask and staying in your "coffin" (stay home) when unwell help stop them from spreading even beyond Halloween.

📢A public health campaign is needed to inform people about the benefits of high-grade masks in an outbreak.

😷Why isn't FFP2 a minimum requirement in healthcare settings?

🛡Why haven't Clinically Vulnerable people been informed?

#FluIsAirborne
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Petition: Fund NHS COVID boosters for Clinically Vulnerable people – keep covid boosters 'Protect the NHS' and 'Save Lives' by continuing to fund NHS COVID boosters for Clinically Vulnerable people, including most previously shielded as CEV, rather than limiting them to over-75s, care hom...

'Flu and Covid co-infections were shown to double death rates.

Why are we still not offering Covid vaccine to all Clinically Vulnerable people?

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petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...

Flu Vaccine Uptake '25 ≥ 65 yrs 61.5% HCWs 30.7% Pregnant 29.7% At risk u65 28.9% NHS England Flu Vaccination Data

In the UK, there is a drive to increase vaccine uptake, which remains low.

Also, antivirals have been made available for all Clinically Vulnerable people, even if they only experienced a close contact or for unconfirmed 'flu-like symptoms.

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With an absent CDC and mismatched 'subclade K' flu strain, experts face upcoming season with uncertainty Stephanie Soucheray, MA, November 12, 2025 Topics: Influenza Vaccines, Influenza, General

🇺🇸 The CDC has not posted surveillance data since 26th September, and it is unknown when / if US national surveillance will resume.

🇨🇦 Canada is issuing warnings:

"This is not the time to be flying blind into the respiratory virus season," Danuta Skowronski, MD.

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Image of website, persona coughing and masking. NHK WORLD JAPAN Live & Catch Up News Top Japan Features Weather Earthquake Video NHK Tokyo issues first influenza warning for November since 2009

🇬🇧🇺🇸 The UK and US are failing to manage 'flu risks.

🇯🇵 Japan has declared a 'flu epidemic.
People asked to:

😷Mask when appropriate
🧼Wash hands
👨‍👩‍👧‍👧Avoid crowded places
🏫Some schools have even closed temporarily

1/

Worryingly low 'flu vaccine uptake.
Latest NHS England data:

🙋🏾‍♂️28.9% Clinically Vulnerable <65s
🤰29.7% pregnant
🥼HCWs 30.9%
🧓65+ 61.5%

If we can’t reach our 'flu targets in a concerning epidemic, what hope for the private Covid protection model?

- Vulnerable lives at risk!

Worryingly low 'flu vaccine uptake.
Latest NHS England data:

🙋🏾‍♂️28.9% Clinically Vulnerable <65s
🤰29.7% pregnant
🥼HCWs 30.9%
🧓65+ 61.5%

If we can’t reach our 'flu targets in a concerning epidemic, what hope for the private Covid protection model?

- Vulnerable lives at risk!

Bird flu: Expert tells farmers to prepare for the worst as virus spreads A top virology expert tells the BBC that the

UK Chickens ordered to "Stay at Home"

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Square World Ventil8 Day poster on a blue–teal–magenta gradient. Left: open window with sweeping arrows; below, a CO₂ monitor shows “800 ppm.” Right: stylized family silhouettes, an adult wearing a mask, next to a HEPA filter sending a bright clean-air arrow across the scene. Headline text reads “WORLD VENTIL8 DAY — 8 NOVEMBER” and “CLEAN AIR IS A RIGHT. PROTECT CLINICALLY VULNERABLE FAMILIES.” CLINICALLY VULNERABLE FAMILIES logo and World Ventilation Day logo

On #WorldVentil8Day we are reminding everyone:

💨 Clean indoor air saves lives! 💨

Flu risks are high this year and ventilation, filtration, high-grade masks, and CO₂ levels still matter.

We are proud to be a founding supporter of
#WorldVentil8Day

Can you tell us more, Dan?

This kind of scene is incredibly uncommon... and most appear to be wearing high-grade masks.

Yes, but it will have been prescribed for you following a medical consultation.

It is not available over the counter. It is prescription only.

It is great to see inclusive events in Edinburgh!

You cannot buy flu antivirals like Tamiflu (oseltamivir) or Relenza (zanamivir) without a prescription, as they are prescription-only medications.

Clinical risk category Immunosuppression (see contraindications and precautions section on live attenuated influenza vaccine) Examples (this list is not exhaustive and decisions should be based on clinical judgement) Immunosuppression due to disease or treatment, including patients undergoing chemotherapy leading to immunosuppression, patients undergoing radical radiotherapy, solid organ transplant recipients, bone marrow or stem cell transplant recipients, people living with HIV (at all stages), multiple myeloma or genetic disorders affecting the immune system (for example IRAK-4, NEMO, complement disorder, SCID). Individuals who are receiving immunosuppressive or immunomodulating biological therapy including, but not limited to, anti-TNF- alemtuzumab, ofatumumab, rituximab, patients receiving protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors, and individuals treated with steroid sparing agents such as cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate mofetil. Individuals treated with or likely to be treated with systemic steroids for more than a month at a dose equivalent to prednisolone at 20mg or more per day (any age), or for children under 20kg, a dose of 1mg or more per kg per day. Anyone with a history of haematological malignancy, including leukaemia, lymphoma, and myeloma and those with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis who may require long term immunosuppressive treatments. Some immunocompromised patients may have a suboptimal immunological response to the vaccine. Asplenia or dysfunction of the spleen This also includes conditions such as homozygous sickle cell disease, hereditary spherocytosis, thalassemia major and coeliac disease that may lead to splenic dysfunction. Morbid obesity (class III obesity)* Adults with a Body Mass Index ≥40 kg/m². Other risk groups Pregnant women Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy (first, second or third trimesters). See precautions section on live attenuated influenza vaccine. Household…

Table 19.4 Clinical risk groups and other risk groups who should be offered influenza vaccination. Clinical risk category Examples (this list is not exhaustive and decisions should be based on clinical judgement) Chronic respiratory disease Asthma that requires continuous or repeated use of inhaled or systemic steroids or with previous exacerbations requiring hospital admission. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) including chronic bronchitis and emphysema; bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, interstitial lung fibrosis, pneumoconiosis and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). In addition to those with chronic respiratory disease, children who have previously been admitted to hospital for lower respiratory tract disease. See precautions section on LAIV. Chronic heart disease and vascular disease Congenital heart disease, hypertension with cardiac complications, chronic heart failure, individuals requiring regular medication and/or follow-up for ischaemic heart disease. This includes individuals with atrial fibrillation, peripheral vascular disease or a history of venous thromboembolism. Chronic kidney disease Chronic kidney disease at stage 3, 4 or 5, chronic kidney failure, nephrotic syndrome, kidney transplantation. Chronic liver disease Cirrhosis, biliary atresia, chronic hepatitis. Chronic neurological disease (included in the DES directions for Wales) Stroke, transient ischaemic attack (TIA). Conditions in which respiratory function may be compromised due to neurological or neuromuscular disease (for example polio syndrome sufferers). Clinicians should offer immunisation, based on individual assessment, to clinically vulnerable individuals including those with cerebral palsy, severe or profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD), Down's syndrome, multiple sclerosis, dementia, Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease and related or similar conditions; or hereditary and degenerative disease of the nervous system or muscles; or severe neur…

If you are unsure whether you qualify for a 'flu vaccine, please read the Green Book for Influenza:

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/683831...

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Our recommendations:

💉 Get vaccinated (flu and Covid, if you can)

😷Wear a close fitting high-grade (FFP2/FFP3) mask in high-risk indoor public spaces.

🪟 Open windows in healthcare and consider buying air filters.

🧼 Wash your hands.

🏠 And PLEASE stay at home sick.

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NHS labs have already moved into full in-season surveillance to track strains and resistance.

That means better, faster information for guiding treatment - which is reassuring for patients.

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Appropriate IPC measures remain a cornerstone of mitigating the spread of influenza and other respiratory viruses. Based on local risk assessment, health and care settings should consider implementing appropriate interventions such as ensuring ventilation is optimised, and applying appropriate isolation and cohorting of suspected or confirmed influenza cases. Health care workers with mild upper respiratory tract infections should consider using a face mask in clinical settings, and mask use may also be appropriate for patients and staff in 1 areas where undifferentiated respiratory infections are being managed. Hand hygiene and adherence to standard IPC precautions remain essential. Clinical diagnostic laboratories are asked to ensure subtyping (for H1/H3) is attempted on all severe influenza A cases (ITU/HDU/fatal) either locally or in a UKHSA laboratory, and to arrange for a proportion of influenza A positive material to be subtyped, either locally with reporting to SGSS or via referral to a UKHSA Clinical Network or Collaborating NHS Laboratory. Unsubtypeable influenza A samples should be forwarded to the UKHSA Respiratory Virus Unit (RVU). More detailed information is available in the attached briefing note. Local health systems, including Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), should ensure plans are in place to optimise vaccination coverage and ensure timely access to antivirals in community and care home settings. Shane Ae Dr Shona Arora, Chief Medical Advisor UK Health Security Agency Meghana Pandit Professor Meghana Pandit, National Medical Director, NHS England Dr Claire Fuller, National Medical Director, NHS England Wan Dr Thomas Waite, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England

UKHSA is suggesting infection control:

Ventilation, grouping of patients, and hand hygiene have been recommended.

Healthcare workers with symptoms should mask.

... but universal masking?!?!

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Antivirals (after exposure):

Have you been in close contact with a confirmed/suspected flu case?

High-risk people should be offered preventive antivirals. These are also time-critical. Seek advice within 48hrs of exposure.

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As per NICE TA158, following relevant exposure, antiviral prophylaxis should be offered to eligible people in at-risk groups irrespective of vaccination status in light of the evidence outlined above of a drifted strain. At risk groups include those age 65 years and over, under 6 months of age, pregnant women and anyone in a clinical risk group (see Green Book influenza chapter). Infection prevention and control advice Guidance on measures to prevent and control respiratory virus infections should be followed including appropriate ventilation, hand hygiene and the use of personal protective equipment in health care settings. Advice on testing for influenza Clinicians should have a low index of suspicion for testing for influenza in patients presenting to healthcare with acute respiratory infection symptoms. Testing should not delay initiation of antiviral treatment in suspected cases. If rapid RT-PCR or validated POCTs for respiratory viruses are unavailable, prompt antiviral initiation prior to virological testing is recommended. Early initiation of therapy is associated with clinical benefit.

If you get flu-like symptoms:
Antiviral treatment shouldn’t wait for a lab result.

High-risk patients should be treated promptly because antivirals work best early (ideally within 48hrs).

Call your GP or NHS 111.

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The image shows a box of Tamiflu 75 mg hard capsules. Active ingredient: The active ingredient is oseltamivir.

If you are eligible for the NHS 'flu vaccine because you are in a higher-risk group (due to age or health conditions), this year it also means you are eligible for antivirals either:

🤒 If you have 'flu symptoms

or

🌬 If you have been exposed to someone with 'flu

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Image of a banner outside a shop. A pharmacist is on the picture. She is has black straight hair, brown eyes, a big smile and is wearing a cream suit jacket with a staff badge. Superdrug *REMINDER!! IT'S FLU VACCINATION SEASON Flu Jab Service provided by our healthcare professionals Noyne Pharmacist MEMBER PRICE £9.95 NORMAL PRICE £19.95 MEMBERS SAVE MORE Service available here Help protect yourself against several strains of the flu this season with one simple visit in-store. 99

If you have been invited for a vaccine, or live with a Clinically Vulnerable person (but don't qualify), please consider getting a vaccine - they can be as cheap as £9.95.

Everyone benefits from 'flu vaccines, and children (up to 16) are offered them for free in school.

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Summary: Influenza is now circulating in the community with earlier than usual onset of activity in the 2025 to 2026 season, and with an A(H3N2) drifted strain (K, also known as J.2.4.1) predominating A(H3N2) predominance is associated with higher morbidity and mortality, particularly in the elderly, than when A(H1N1) predominates All eligible groups should be encouraged to get vaccinated with the 2025 to 2026 seasonal influenza vaccine as soon as possible Prompt antiviral post exposure prophylaxis and treatment for seasonal influenza should be offered to eligible groups Antivirals guidance for treatment and prophylaxis of seasonal influenza has been updated - health professionals should familiarise themselves with the key updates which simplify first line recommendations, strengthen advice to support empirical treatment with neuraminidase inhibitors and diagnostic testing, and advise on the use of baloxavir marboxil. Laboratory specimen referral guidance has been updated for 2025 to 2026; in-season influenza referral practices now apply Infection prevention and control (IPC) measures such as wearing of masks, ventilation, hand hygiene, and prompt clinical isolation/cohorting should be used in healthcare settings as appropriate.

This year's strains aren't looking good:

The infections have started earlier.
A(H3N2) strains are dominant - and linked to worse outcomes.
A shifted strain (slightly different to vaccines) is also doing the rounds.

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