Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to prevent the spread of the winter flu; and whether he plans to introduce public health measures to prevent its spread in 2021.

We are continuing with an extended flu vaccination programme for the 2021/22 flu season and over 35 million people will be eligible for a free seasonal flu vaccine. This year includes a continued offer of vaccination for 50 to 64 year olds, and the programme is being extended to additional cohorts in secondary school to help prevent disease transmission.

The National Health Service continues to recommend hand washing, using tissues to catch coughs and sneezes and disposing of tissues as quickly as possible to help reduce the risk of flu. However, vaccination remains a cost-effective measure to protect those at risk and reduce hospitalisations.