Dr Harries, former deputy chief medical officer for England, told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show: "This is probably the first season where we will have significant amounts of Covid circulating as well as flu.
She said because of social distancing and other measures during the pandemic the public has not had the flu exposure they usually would, "so people are susceptible". Research shows those infected with both viruses are more than twice as likely to die as someone with Covid alone.from the Academy of Medical Sciences suggests that respiratory illness could hit very high levels this winter, causing severe strain on the NHS and between 15,000 and 60,000 deaths.
She told the Andrew Marr show: "We are starting to move to a situation where, perhaps Covid is not the most significant element and many of those individuals affected will of course have other comorbidities which will make them vulnerable to serious illness for other reasons as well."