Your morning Covid briefing as research finds it safe to have flu and covid vaccines at the same time


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Here are the morning’s coronavirus headlines for Friday, October 1, as new research has revealed that it’s safe for people to get their coronavirus and flu shots at the same time.

A clinical trial found that the reported side effects were mostly mild to moderate, and that there was also no negative impact on the immune response produced by either vaccine when both vaccines were given on the day. same day, in opposite arms. Learn more about how 63% of them will choose to get the flu shot this year.

The Combining Influenza and Covid-19 Vaccination (ComFluCov) study examined whether it was safe to give the two vaccines together.

2021 will see the launch of Britain’s largest NHS influenza program in history, with more than 35 million people expected to receive the vaccine, and coronavirus booster shots are also given. Covid booster vaccine explained here.

The researchers say the findings strengthen current guidelines for the coronavirus booster vaccine, which is to give the two injections together where practically possible.

Dr Rajeka Lazarus is a consultant in infectious diseases and microbiology at Bristol University Hospitals and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) and chief investigator of the ComFluCov study.

She said: “By conducting this study, we were able to establish that it is possible to protect people from both Covid-19 and the flu during the same date.

“This is a really positive step that could mean fewer appointments for those who need both vaccines, reducing the burden on those with underlying health conditions who would typically be offered the vaccine for the. flu.”

Dr Lazarus added: “This is already happening.

“This data has been shared with JCVI and with MHRA to help support the regulations they have already taken in preparation for this season.”

Two Covid vaccines and three influenza vaccines were tested, making six combinations in total. The most common side effects were pain around the injection site and fatigue.

Some combinations saw an increase in the number of people who reported at least one side effect when Covid-19 and the flu vaccine were given together, but the reactions were mostly mild or moderate, the researchers found.

Read more:All the latest coronavirus news here.

Welsh PM concerned about more relaxed approach in England

Mark Drakeford has raised concerns about the UK’s more relaxed approach to Covid restrictions, suggesting it seemed to prompt some people in England to take more risks.

In an interview with The Guardian, he also admitted that he had not spoken to Prime Minister Boris Johnson since June, with no future date on the agenda for talks.

He said: “The coronavirus is by no means over. The numbers are way too high, the pressures on our hospitals are real. Our point is that we need to strengthen our defenses as high as possible. For us, that is them. built higher than the UK government for England chose.

Surprised by the few people wearing masks on his recent trip to the Labor conference in Brighton, he added: “Overall you still see people in Wales understanding that this is a very small thing. that you are asked to do but that is in addition to another important protection.There is a different attitude across the border.

The prime minister also said he fears the flu will put even greater strain on health services this winter. Learn more about his concerns about the October peak here.

“The health service is flat,” he said. “We rely on people who are exhausted and marked by what they have gone through. Our social protection system is under pressure. We do not have the pool of workers who can travel freely from other parts of Europe. All of these things combine to challenge the social care portion of our system. We are right to be worried.

Latest infection rates for Wales

Thirteen more people have died from the coronavirus in Wales according to the latest figures from Public Health Wales.

Data released on Thursday, September 30, also revealed that there were 2,580 new positive cases, bringing the total number since the start of the pandemic to 355,542.

Wales’ latest seven-day infection rate based on cases per 100,000 people (seven days through September 25) has apparently peaked and now stands at 648.1 – almost the same as the 648 reported Wednesday.

The local authority with the highest infection rate in Wales remains Neath Port Talbot with 935.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over seven days, followed by Rhondda Cynon Taf with 876.6 and Caerphilly with 848.8. Case for your region here.

Scans and tests at football stadiums and shopping centers in England to tackle NHS backlog

NHS tests and scans are to be offered at football stadiums and shopping centers in England to help deal with the backlog caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The health service is launching 40 new “one-stop-shop” diagnostic centers, which will perform a wide range of health checks on referral from general practitioners.

Some of the venues will be installed in existing buildings, including a redeveloped outlet in Poole, the Falmer Stadium – home of Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club – and the Glass Works shopping center in Barnsley.

The program, backed by a government investment of £ 350million, aims to deliver around 2.8million analyzes in the first year of operation.

The hubs will be staffed with professional teams, including nurses and radiographers, and will be open seven days a week.

South African President presses Boris Johnson against travel ban

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said he had held talks with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to remove South Africa from a travel “red list” which bans visitors to the UK due to Covid-19.

The UK restrictions also mean that anyone traveling from Britain to South Africa is subject to a mandatory 10-day quarantine upon returning home, even if they are fully vaccinated and tested negative for the disease. coronavirus.

Mr Ramaphosa said he “presented the case of South Africa” ​​to Mr Johnson, “which he understood very well”.

“We hope for a positive result when the subject is examined in the next few days by their scientists,” said Mr Ramaphosa.

The South African government said last week it was puzzled by the UK’s decision to keep it on the list while removing other countries like Kenya and Egypt and easing restrictions on their travelers .

South African scientists have gone further and criticized their British counterparts for their ignorance of the pandemic situation in South Africa.

Mr Ramaphosa said British scientists were concerned about the beta variant of the coronavirus, which was first seen in South Africa.

However, the Beta variant only accounts for a tiny proportion of cases in South Africa, experts say, and the Delta variant is largely dominant, as it does in the UK.

South Africa was one of many countries angered by the UK’s updated travel restrictions, with some accusing Britain of discrimination for apparently not recognizing vaccines received in other countries.

South Africa is desperate to be taken off the list, more than anything to lure British tourists put off by being forced to pay for an expensive hotel quarantine stay on their return home.

Britain traditionally supplies more tourists to South Africa than any other country outside of Africa, and South Africa’s hard-hit tourism industry and struggling economy need a boost inch.

In a speech live on national television, Mr Ramaphosa also announced the easing of virus restrictions in South Africa and said his third wave was now officially over, with new cases rising from more than 20,000 through day during the wave peak at an average of just over 1,800 a day over the past seven days.

South Africa would revert to Lockdown Level 1, the lowest alert, from Friday, Ramaphosa said.

This means that the nightly curfew hours have been relaxed, bars and restaurants will be allowed to stay open a little later, and alcohol can be sold under normal licensing laws.

Alcohol sales were previously banned on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The number of people allowed at gatherings has also been increased.

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