What is influenza and why is it a cause for concern?
Influenza is an acute respiratory disease caused by influenza viruses and is easily spread from one person to another. It mainly affects the upper respiratory tract and in some cases the lungs. Influenza can cause mild to very severe illness. It is reported that about 3-5 million people worldwide are seriously ill with influenza and a significant number, 650,000 die from the disease each year. About 70,000 of these deaths occur in the WHO European Region.
Should we be particularly worried about flu this year?
There is concern about this year and we are expected to see an increase in respiratory virus transmission, mainly due to the relaxation of basic prevention and transmission measures for different viruses, due to the coexistence of influenza with COVID- 19 and also due to the data observed during the winter in the southern hemisphere (high influenza rates, May-June 2022).
It is important to know that we are not yet finished with the COVID-19 pandemic and the possibility of severe disease from both COVID-19 and influenza is taken into account.
What are the differences between COVID-19 and influenza? How do I know if I have the flu or COVID-19? What should I do if I have symptoms?
Both viruses are characterized by high infectivity and cause respiratory tract infection. In addition, they have the same symptoms (such as fever, cough, shortness of breath). Due to the difficulty in distinguishing between the two diseases, in the presence of symptoms, it is recommended to limit your exposure to reduce the risk of spreading the infection, especially in vulnerable people.
Who should get the flu vaccine?
WHO recommends influenza vaccination for people in the following 4 priority groups:[/U] Health care workers are inevitably exposed to the influenza virus through their work, so they should be protected from catching it themselves and from spreading the virus to their patients. Vaccination reduces the risk of transmitting the virus to patients, who are more vulnerable to severe disease. Healthcare professionals are vital in the response to COVID-19 and therefore need to be healthy at work to protect patients, to be able to work and stay at work themselves and not get sick from the flu. [*]Older people over 65: The immune system weakens with age and becomes susceptible to infections including influenza. Therefore, people over 65 years of age who are infected with the influenza virus are at greater risk of becoming seriously ill and leading to hospitalization and possibly death. [*]Pregnant women: Pregnant women are more susceptible to severe influenza infection and this can have a negative effect on the foetus. Vaccination protects both the pregnant woman and the newborn. [*]Vulnerable groups: Influenza can be very serious in people who have underlying diseases and comorbidities such as diabetes, asthma and heart disease. Influenza infection can worsen the general condition of these individuals and lead to hospitalization and possibly death. [*] Children under 5 years of age: Are at high risk of developing severe disease or complications, including hospitalisation and, less commonly, death. Vaccination provides protection for children and also protects the people they interact with, such as grandparents and other vulnerable groups. [*]People living in shelters and closed facilities such as prisons, refugee camps and nursing homes: Vaccination can limit the rapid spread of the influenza virus in these large groups. [BR]
It is important to note that many people who are at risk of severe illness or death due to influenza virus are also at high risk of severe infection with COVID-19.
O WHO recommends that the vulnerable population groups listed above be vaccinated against influenza and COVID-19 this autumn and winter.
Which strains of influenza virus does the vaccine protect against?
There are 2 main types of influenza virus - influenza A and influenza B - that lead to annual influenza epidemics, often referred to as seasonal influenza. In Europe, we use both trivalent vaccines to protect against 3 strains of flu and quadrivalent vaccines to protect against 4 strains, covering both types of flu.
How do I know that the flu vaccine is safe and will be effective?
The flu vaccine is the best preventive measure against the flu virus as it protects us from serious complications and even death.
Influenza vaccines have been used for over 60 years and have been given safely to millions of people around the world.
Each year, national drug committees carefully review each influenza vaccine before it is licensed and systems are in place to monitor and investigate reports of adverse reactions after vaccination. Although it is rare for adverse side effects to occur from the administration of the vaccine, if they do occur, they are not serious. In order to provide an optimal level of protection, influenza vaccines are updated annually based on monitoring of seasonal influenza activity in other hemispheres. How effective the vaccines are depends on several factors, including age, current health status and the strains of the virus circulating during the winter season.
Is there a chance of getting flu from vaccination?
No, there is no such possibility. The flu vaccine contains 3 different types of flu that are not live. By administering the vaccine our body produces antibodies, which protect us (activate and kill the virus) in case of a possible attack by the virus.
Vaccination against COVID-19 offers any protection against the flu? And conversely, does my flu vaccine offer any protection against COVID-19?
No, the viruses are different and next different vaccines need to be administered.
WHO recommends that the flu vaccine and COVID-19?
WHO recommends that countries administer the influenza vaccine together with the COVID 19 vaccine - so-called co-administration - whenever possible.
If I have COVID-19 is it safe to get the flu vaccine?
It is better to recover from COVID-19 and then get the flu vaccine to avoid confusing symptoms.
If I have COVID-19, does that make me more susceptible to catching the flu or getting seriously ill?
Until recently there was no clear data to say that being COVID-19 positive makes a person more susceptible to influenza.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic that prevailed, flu rates were low, whereupon the above correlation was not observed.
However, if someone needs to be hospitalized due to COVID-19 and has a respiratory problem, then the risk of severe disease is certainly increased if they subsequently get sick with influenza.
Are there cases where someone cannot be vaccinated with the flu vaccine?
Flu vaccines have been given safely to millions of people for decades.
However, in some cases, the seasonal flu vaccine is not recommended or should be given with caution.
Receiving the seasonal flu vaccine is not recommended for people with a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose or to any of the ingredients in the vaccine. People with known allergies to egg can receive the influenza vaccine, provided they are monitored for at least 15 minutes after administration.
What other measures can I take to protect myself and vulnerable groups from infections this winter?
It is important to take the necessary precautions to protect vulnerable groups. Both COVID-19 and influenza are respiratory viruses and are transmitted in the same ways; mainly through inhalation of droplets by a person when coughing, sneezing, talking or breathing or when viruses are transmitted through contact from infected surfaces. This means that the same measures we have been taking help us and help to protect us from influenza. These measures include. [*]Ensuring good indoor ventilation (especially in crowded and public places) [*]Regular hand washing [*]Covering the mouth and nose when coughing with a tissue or elbow [*]Covering the mouth and nose when coughing with a tissue or elbow. [/LIST]
As we have seen, these measures can work.
What is the WHO doing to help countries prepare during the seasonal flu season?
The WHO works on influenza all year round. At the end of one season, preparations for the next season begin. Preparation includes: surveillance and monitoring of the influenza virus, monitoring of the various strains isolated in clinical laboratories (recommendations each year for the formulation of a new vaccine), surveillance of avian influenza (monitoring disease severity and mortality).
How can countries control both influenza and COVID-19 during the upcoming seasonal influenza season?
Whether it is influenza or COVID-19, vaccination is the best means we have to prevent infection and reduce the risk of serious complications and even death.
The circulation of the COVID-19 vaccine continues to progress in most countries, including low- and middle-income countries. However, millions of people remain unvaccinated in many parts of the WHO European Region. It is important to find better ways to reach these people and increase vaccination coverage rates. It is also important to prioritise the administration of booster doses of vaccines to vulnerable people, including the elderly, immunocompromised and people with underlying diseases.
In conclusion, consistent implementation of the following five interventions can be useful to protect the population from COVID-19 and influenza by:
[*]Increasing vaccination coverage in the general population [*]Giving a booster dose of the vaccine to vulnerable groups in the population. [*]A booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for persons aged 12 years and over, provided that a period of five (5) months has elapsed since the last dose of the vaccine. [*]Use of a protective mask indoors and on public transport [*]Good and adequate ventilation of crowded and public places such as schools, bars and restaurants, offices and public transport [*]Preparedness and proper management of cases likely to require hospitalisation due to severe disease. [BR]
The WHO European Region's autumn/winter strategy for COVID-19, as well as for other respiratory viruses, can help countries to be better prepared to respond to a possible increase in the number of COVID-19 and influenza cases.
(AF)
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