Britons who get the annual winter flu jab fall into the government’s “high risk” category and should self-isolate, a top medic warns.
The news comes as the public demand more clarity from the government over who falls into that category, given common underlying health problems.
Jonathan Van-Tam, deputy chief medical officer for England, told BBC Breakfast this morning: "I don't want to go into enormous detail into every single risk group but we are saying it is the people who are offered flu vaccines, other than children, who fit into that risk category, people for whom the advice is very strong about social distancing."
The flu vaccine is available on the NHS every winter and is routinely given to adults over 65, people with medical conditions and pregnant women, to prevent serious complications from flu like pneumonia.
Patients most at risk include people with asthma, cancer or those have had an organ transplant.
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Prime minister Boris Johnson set out drastic social measures yesterday asking people to work from home and limit social contact after the country hit the peak phase that saw cases rocket.
People with the most serious health conditions were told to self-isolate for 12 weeks.
The Foreign Office has advised against travel to any destination as nations close their borders in bid to control the coronavirus.
Meanwhile, scientists are calling for governments to reduce the strain on intensive care units by introducing tougher social measures.
This includes building awareness of the risk posed to young people.
In an open letter, produced by the International Association of Italian Researchers, and signed by hundreds of scientists globally, the group warned that young people are also at risk of developing a severe ailment.
Coronavirus is "able to cause severe respiratory ailments even in young subjects (contrary to the popular belief that initially downplayed the risks associated to the virus".
The group also criticised governments for the lack of countermeasures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, demanding clearer actions for citizens.
The group wrote: "The greatest priority must be the preservation of public health. Clearer actions must follow urgently.
"We believe that the authorities overseeing healthcare systems should focus on communicating and enforcing rigorous rules and norms to be followed to prevent and limit the spread and diffusion of the virus, in order to ensure effective responses by hospitals, clinics and primary doctors as well."
