Managing the current UK flu increase and supporting business continuity
Dr Sam Valanejad, Chief Medical Officer – Commercial
Sam is Chief Medical Officer – Commercial at Medigold Health and a Consultant Specialist in Occupational Medicine. He leads the development of innovative, evidence-based clinical services, including programmes that help employers protect their workforce from seasonal health risks such as flu.
The UK is currently experiencing an early and sustained increase in seasonal influenza activity. Surveillance updates from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and guidance from the NHS indicate rising community transmission, predominantly associated with Influenza A (H3N2), with increasing impacts on workforce availability and health services.
Periods of high flu prevalence can affect organisations through increased sickness absence, reduced productivity and pressure on essential services. The purpose of this briefing is to support employers in taking proportionate, evidence-based measures to protect employees, maintain operational resilience and reduce workplace transmission.
Key workplace measures to support employee health and sustainability
1. Sickness management and attendance
Employees experiencing flu-like symptoms (such as fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches or marked fatigue) should be encouraged to remain at home until they are clinically well enough to return to work.
Clear and consistent messaging from managers is important to discourage presenteeism, which increases the risk of transmission and wider absence.
2. Hand and respiratory hygiene
Good hygiene remains a cornerstone of infection prevention:
- Encourage regular and thorough handwashing with soap and water
- Provide tissues and waste bins in shared areas
- Reinforce covering coughs and sneezes and appropriate disposal of tissues (“Catch it, Bin it, Kill it”)
3. Workplace environment and ventilation
Where reasonably practicable:
- Increase the flow of fresh air in indoor spaces
- Use natural or mechanical ventilation effectively
- Avoid overcrowding in enclosed areas where possible
Improved ventilation has been shown to reduce the spread of respiratory infections in shared environments.
4. Face coverings
UKHSA guidance indicates that individuals with respiratory symptoms may consider wearing a well-fitting face covering when in shared or public indoor spaces, particularly where close contact is unavoidable. This is a supportive measure rather than a formal requirement.
5. Flexible and remote working
Where roles allow, employers may wish to facilitate remote or hybrid working arrangements to reduce workplace density during periods of high community transmission and to support business continuity.
Flu vaccination – awareness and employer support
Seasonal flu vaccination remains the most effective measure for reducing the risk of severe illness, complications and hospitalisation. The NHS continues to offer free flu vaccination to eligible groups, including:
- Adults aged 65 and over
- Individuals with certain long-term health conditions
- Pregnant individuals
- Some frontline and at-risk workers
Employers are encouraged to raise awareness of NHS eligibility and support employees in accessing vaccination promptly.
Support through your Medigold Client Relationship Manager
Your dedicated Client Relationship Manager (CRM) remains available to support discussions relating to workforce health and flu-related concerns.
Exploratory discussions on vaccination support
Recognising the role of vaccination in winter preparedness, Medigold is open to exploratory discussions with clients regarding potential approaches to supporting workforce vaccination, alongside NHS provision, where appropriate and feasible.
If this is a priority for your organisation, please raise it with your CRM, who can log your interest and help assess suitable options in line with public health guidance and wider system capacity.
Further information
Authoritative and up-to-date guidance is available from:
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA): Reducing the spread of respiratory infections in the workplace
- NHS England: Seasonal flu vaccination programme and eligibility information
Important: This material is for general information only and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It is not exhaustive and may not reflect individual circumstances. Readers should consult a suitably qualified health professional for personal medical advice. Inclusion of specific conditions or examples does not imply endorsement of particular treatments. Employers should seek advice regarding their responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 and other applicable law.
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