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The flu season 2021/22 is ahead of us. There are many indications that in addition to the coronavirus, we will also have to face the flu. That is why it is worth getting vaccinated against this disease, especially because it will also provide us with greater protection against COVID-19 infection. What do we need to know before this year’s flu season? How long does it take between COVID-19 and flu vaccinations?
- It is assumed that the flu season runs from mid-September to the end of April
- If left untreated, flu can be a serious threat to health and even life
- In Poland, 4% of people are vaccinated against influenza. of citizens, last season – in the times of COVID-19 – we did it much more often, 6 percent were vaccinated. Poles
- What will the next flu season starting in a few weeks be?
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
Flu in Poland in the 2020/2021 season
According to the data of the National Institute of Public Health-National Institute of Hygiene, in the flu season 2020/2021, i.e. from September 2020 to April 2021, a total of 1 people were recorded in Poland. 616 reports of cases of sickness or suspected flu. No death was reported.
In the earlier season – from September 1, 2019 to April 30, 2020 – according to the NIZP-PZH data, 3 million 769 thousand jobs were recorded in Poland. 480 flu cases. 16 thousand 684 people required hospitalization, 64 people died from influenza.
Does this mean the flu is gone? Yes and no.
“Last season we experienced a sharp drop in the number of cases – there were no reported deaths from influenza in Poland. This is proof that pandemic protective measures such as distance, masks, disinfection were very effective »- said Prof. Adam Antczak from the General and Oncological Pulmonology Clinic of the Medical University of Lodz.
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In turn, Katarzyna Mąkólska from the National Program for Combating Influenza, emphasizes that in the era of the prevailing pandemic, we use teleporting to a much greater extent. – The patient does not see a physician physically and is not referred for a flu diagnosis test. However, this does not mean that the flu is gone. Society is still ill, the disease is simply not properly diagnosed – she explained.
What will the next flu season look like?
Experts fear that the precautionary rules are no longer as followed last season, so the number of flu cases will increase as well. This can be seen, for example, in other viral diseases.
Hospitals in the UK have recently seen an increase in the number of children suffering from severe respiratory infections. Some are babies infected with RSV. Limitations related to COVID-19 meant that not only SARS-CoV-2 but also other respiratory viruses were spreading to a lesser extent. Now, after lifting the restrictions, respiratory diseases are returning.
- Pulmonologist: we can expect more flu this season
«A large proportion of the population is vaccinated against COVID-19 and there are people who are less afraid and behave less safely, such as not wearing a mask. In addition, there is fatigue with the pandemic situation, and therefore part of the society is naturally rebellious, bored and no longer afraid of the ongoing threat. The state’s effectiveness in executing these safe behaviors is also weaker. This means we can expect more flu this season. What size will it be? It is not known»- says prof. Adam Antczak.
Can COVID-19 and influenza vaccination be combined?
«Both vaccinations can be done in a short time, ie it is not recommended to do these vaccinations together for precautionary but not substantive reasons (probably nothing would happen if we vaccinated a person with both vaccines at the same time). As a precautionary measure, an interval of two weeks between vaccinations is recommended. Remember that we have plenty of time for the flu vaccine, but not that much for COVID-19. Vaccination against influenza gives us immunity after a week, and we have the most antibodies after a month »- explains prof. Antczak.
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“Last year we wanted to get vaccinated very much, intuitively thinking that if we get vaccinated against flu, it might protect us from a pandemic. And here’s a curiosity – influenza vaccinated people had a 2,5 times lower chance of being hospitalized for COVID-19 and a 3,3 times lower chance of developing a form of COVID-19 that would require hospitalization. In the context of the pandemic, flu vaccination also paid off. Therefore, now I encourage everyone to get vaccinated against the flu, especially those who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19, because they will have some protection »- adds the pulmonologist.
Flu vaccine – how many doses will be available?
According to the data of the National Program Against Influenza, 2020 were used in the flu season 2021/2. 300 doses of flu vaccines.
Experts from OPZG estimated that the demand for influenza vaccines will increase by 45 percent in the coming season. compared to the previous one and will amount to approximately 3,3 million. doses.
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How much did the government order? According to the abczdrowie website, based on the data of the Ministry of Health, the volume of vaccine deliveries should amount to about 2 million 30 thousand. doses. The ministry explains that “it has purchased flu vaccines in the number necessary to perform vaccinations for the groups of patients specified in the ordinance of the Minister of Health of August 27, 2021”. That is, we are talking about reimbursed vaccines for specific groups (more on this later).
“The distribution and volume of supplies to pharmacies and medical entities depends on the production and commercial capabilities of individual pharmaceutical companies,” explains the Ministry of Health.
The National Program Against Influenza informs about the actual number of vaccines that will be delivered to Poland.
«In early September, the first batches of flu vaccines were delivered to pharmacies. In the second half of the month, vaccines will be available in medical facilities. A total of nearly 4 million doses are to be delivered to Poland, of which 1,36 million will go to pharmacies, and 760 thousand. will be allocated to health care facilities, the remainder will be purchased by the Governmental Strategic Reserves Agency. As every year, vaccines will gradually reach Poland, by the end of November there will be as many as 12 tranches »- reads the OPZG release.
Flu Vaccines – Who Is Reimbursed?
Who will be able to get the flu vaccine for free?
Free flu vaccination is available to: persons employed in healthcare entities, pharmacists and pharmaceutical technicians, laboratory diagnosticians, teachers, lecturers, social workers, people from social welfare homes, officers, paramedics and soldiers.
Full refund of vaccines is also available to people over 75 years of age, as well as pregnant women.
The inclusion of pregnant women in this group by the Ministry of Health is the result of pressure from doctors and OPZG.
«I would like to express my thanks to the Ministry of Health for including the flu vaccine on the list of free medicines for pregnant women. Pregnant women during the COVID-19 epidemic and influenza infections constitute a special group with a higher risk of a severe course of the disease and its complications ”- comments Prof. dr hab. n. med. Mirosław Wielgoś, National Consultant in the field of perinatology.
Who will be able to count on a 50% refund?
- people aged 65-74
- people aged 18-64 with comorbidities
- children from 2 to 5 years old
Influenza Vaccines – Which Will Be Available?
«Every year we determine the composition of the vaccine by WHO, which is adapted to the epidemiological situation. For several years, quadrivalent vaccines have been available on the market that provide protection against 4 strains of influenza virus – two type A and two type B. This season, WHO experts selected two new A strains, and B strains remain unchanged (compared to the vaccine from last season) »- informs OPZG.
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Vaccines will be delivered to Poland:
- Influvac Tetra – influenza vaccine, inactivated, containing purified surface antigens of 4 influenza viruses, prepared as a suspension for injection by intramuscular or subcutaneous injection.
- Vaxigrip Tetra – an inactivated influenza vaccine containing a split virion obtained from 4 influenza viruses as antigens, prepared as a suspension for injection by the intramuscular or subcutaneous route.
- Fluarix Tetra – an inactivated influenza vaccine containing a split virion obtained from 4 influenza viruses as antigens, prepared as a suspension for injection by the intramuscular or subcutaneous route.
- Fluenz Tetra – live flu vaccine. The antigens are weakened influenza viruses grown to only reproduce at a lower temperature of about 25 ° C, causing them to replicate in the nasal cavity rather than replicate in the lungs, intranasal dosing.
Availability in pharmacies
For now, a vaccine is available in pharmacies Vaxigrip Tetra, it can be found in many regions of Poland. With a payment of 100 percent. costs PLN 51,86.
There are no other three preparations yet. Influvac Tetra (price – PLN 51,52) is to be released in September, Fluenz Tetra (price – PLN 95,73) in October, and Fluarix Tetra in November.
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