CHILDREN in North Somerset will be offered the free flu jab later this year to help immunize against the virus. 

This winter will be the first time since 2019 that the Covid pandemic has not caused a mandate to socially distance and wear masks. 

It has led health chiefs to issue warnings that childhood respiratory infections may rise ahead of the winter months.

Health officials have also warned there are 'strong indications' the UK faces a dangerous 'twindemic' of Covid-19 and flu infections.

Sirona Care & Health will now send its immunisation team to schools across the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) areas over the next few months to deliver the vaccine to pupils from reception to year nine.

The UK Health Security Agency is urging everyone eligible for a free flu vaccine to take up the offer due to an expected increase in respiratory viruses.

Flu can be very unpleasant and can lead to serious problems such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

The most detected flu virus worldwide is currently H3N2. This strain was in circulation in the UK last year but due to Covid restrictions, such as lockdowns where people mixed a lot less, there are lower levels of immunity in the population.