As children head back to school and we move closer to winter, now is a good time to familiarise ourselves with some of the common illnesses that can cause disruption to children’s time in school during the colder months.
Flu season is approaching, and some people can already book their free NHS flu vaccine. Here's everything you need to know about who can get vaccinated this year and what's changed since last autumn.
Many vaccines need more than one dose to provide protection. This blog post explains why multiple doses are sometimes needed, how vaccine schedules are determined, and what the evidence says about staying protected.
Croup is a common childhood condition that affects the windpipe, the airways to the lungs, and the voice box. It mainly affects babies and young children, typically those aged between 6 months and 3 years, though most cases occur in 1-year-olds. Boys tend to be affected more than girls, and croup is most common during …
As we brace ourselves for chillier days and look forward to more indoor gatherings and seasonal social events with friends and family, now is the ideal time to remind ourselves of behaviours that can reduce the spread of respiratory infections …
Avian influenza (bird flu) is an infectious disease that affects birds, caused by the influenza A virus. Birds are the hosts for a variety of influenza A virus subtypes, particularly waterfowl and shore birds. All birds are susceptible to avian …
Every winter, influenza viruses sweep through communities, causing a seasonal epidemic. There are several different flu vaccines that are used in the national vaccination programme and all of them protect against the 3 main flu virus types: influenza A(H1N1), influenza A(H3N2) and influenza B.
Our scientists are tracking flu and other respiratory viruses and they need your help. Join our FluSurvey UK-wide citizen science programme and contribute directly to protecting the nation’s health this winter.
This blog post is an explainer of important information about these winter infections; their signs and symptoms, and information on who is eligible for vaccination.
As we approach another winter season, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is ramping up its comprehensive surveillance systems to monitor flu and other seasonal respiratory viruses. Here's an overview of how we're working to keep the nation informed and protected.
