Companies are being urged to vaccinate staff against flu to avoid large-scale sickness absence this winter.

The World Health Organisation has warned that the UK is under threat from three strains of flu virus this winter and Bupa has warned employers to vaccinate staff against the illness as previous vaccines will not protect them against the new strains.

Peter Mace, assistant medical director at Bupa Wellness, said: "Most people suffer the flu symptoms for around a week, but this often leaves the body very weak, affecting energy levels. This in turn affects productivity at work. We are advising employers to protect their staff from these new strains of the flu virus, to avoid illness and absence from work."