Brits could become “nastily ill” for weeks in winter, health experts have warned

18 December 2023 , 15:32

946     0

People could be off sick for a week or two or three, one expert has claimed (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Covid continues to infect many people, and with fewer people getting booster vaccinations than the early waves of the virus, the country could be primed for an extra dose of the virus. Experts warn we are less protected from the effects of Covid this time around as we may be lacking the required antibodies to fight off the virus.

The claims were made in a BBC interview about the rising risk of more severe Covid bouts by Professor Peter Openshaw, of Imperial College London. Our immunity may be wearing off, the expert warned, meaning more and more people could all ill as a result of being infected by the virus, Wales Online reports.

This is due to the fact that for many people it will have been a long time since they last caught the virus or were vaccinated against it. Prof Openshaw told the BBC: “The thing that made the huge difference before was the very wide and fast rollout of vaccines - even young adults managed to get vaccinated, and that made an absolutely huge difference.”

The expert believes that with fewer people being offered the vaccine this year, the result could be "having a pretty nasty illness that is going to knock them out for several days or weeks” this winter. Last winter all over-50s could have the vaccine if they wanted it, but now it is only being offered to over-65s and vulnerable people, a government decision aimed at relieving pressure on health services.

Another professor - immunologist professor Eleanor Riley, who works at the University of Edinburgh, said: “I think the consequence of not boosting those people is we have more people who are off work for a week or two or three over winter.” She says that if you have Covid and you're feeling particularly under the weather, it could be because you have fewer antibodies, or because the virus is constantly evolving.

EastEnders' Jake Wood's snap of son has fans pointing out the pair's likeness

The cells that help to fight viruses, which are known as T cells, will stop us getting seriously ill, according to Prof Riley. But relying on these is what can cause symptoms such as aches and chills, she said. Prof Openshaw added that, eventually, most people will develop a natural immunity to Covid as with other infectious diseases.

Jonathon Hill