Flu vaccine 2020. What should I know? [WE EXPLAIN]

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The flu vaccine may be one of the most sought-after drugs this season. Although usually no more than 4 percent are vaccinated. our society, this year may be different. Doctors, experts, and the Chief Sanitary Inspector Jarosław Pinkas encourage to vaccinate against this disease. What do we need to know about the flu vaccine?

  1. Influenza vaccination coverage in Poland in the last ten years was 3,26-4,12%. Compared to other European countries, this is dramatically little
  2. In the flu season 2020/2021, we can count on a partial or full refund of influenza vaccines for people in risk groups
  3. From September, three quadrivalent influenza vaccines should be available on the market and one intranasal vaccine for children

The flu vaccine in 2020 is needed more than usual

In an interview with Anna Zimny-Zając as part of the #GośćMedTvoiLokony series, the Chief Sanitary Inspector Jarosław Pinkas said:

– For my part, I can appeal to everyone to get vaccinated against the flu in order to prevent the accumulation of the two viruses [SARS-CoV-2 and influenza – ed.]. And the decision to vaccinate is entirely on our side.

He also added that all people with chronic diseases should be vaccinated against influenza, as well as those who undergo dialysis, stay in care and treatment facilities, are in long-term care, have cardiological problems, and have acute coronary syndromes.

Chief Sanitary Inspector, Jarosław Pinkas

I hope that this year will be such a special year, when massive educational activities will cause the flu vaccination coverage to be significantly higher than the 4 percent. That all health care professionals will be vaccinated, who will be the best example, that vaccination is not only worth it, but it is simply necessary, and that in this situation we will be European record holders

According to the data we received from the Ministry of Health, over the last ten flu seasons, Influenza vaccination coverage in the overall population remained low, in the range of 3,26 – 4,12 percent. This is dramatically low, considering that in other European countries this percentage is as high as 70%.

What he can be happy about is the fact that, based on the estimates of the National Institute of Public Health – National Institute of Hygiene, the flu vaccination status in the 2019/2020 season in the entire population was determined at 4,12 percent. This is the highest result of the last decade. However, it is still too low.

What will the 2020/2021 flu season look like in terms of flu vaccines adopted? The Ministry of Health introduced several points to the reimbursement list that may contribute to increasing the vaccination coverage, especially in risk groups.

  1. Check the offer for the 2020/2021 flu season

Flu vaccine 2020. Reimbursement for selected people

The flu vaccine is the recommended vaccine, and therefore for a fee. This year, the Ministry of Health added to the so-called influenza vaccine reimbursement list for specific population groups.

Free flu vaccine VaxigripTetra:

  1. for people over 75 years of age

Partial refund of VaxigripTetra flu vaccine:

  1. for people over 65 (price after a reduction: PLN 22,88)

Partial refund of Influvac Tetra flu vaccine:

  1. adults (from 18 to 65 years of age) qualified by a doctor to the group of increased risk of complications after influenza (price after reduction: PLN 24,95)

Partial reimbursement of Fluenz Tetra nasal flu vaccine:

  1. children from three to five years (price after a reduction of PLN 47,87)

It is also worth finding out about the activities of local governments, which organize additional campaigns on influenza vaccinations every year and partially or fully finance vaccines for people from high-risk groups.

See: Should the coronavirus vaccine be mandatory and free? “It would be the most convenient solution”

2020 flu vaccine available

As we can read in the communication of the President of the Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices and Biocidal Products, the following quadrivalent influenza vaccines will be available on the market in the 2020/2021 flu season:

  1. Influvac Tetra – Influenza vaccine (surface antigen), inactivated, suspension for injection in a pre-filled syringe, 1 dose (0,5 ml), Authorization No: 24272, Marketing Authorization Holder: Mylan IRE Healthcare Ltd.
  2. Vaxigrip Tetra – influenza vaccine (split virion), inactivated, suspension for injection in pre-filled syringe, 1 dose (0,5 ml), authorization no: 23540, Marketing Authorization Holder: Sanofi Pasteur
  3. Fluarix Tetra – influenza vaccine (split virion, inactivated), suspension for injection in pre-filled syringe, 1 dose (0,5 ml), authorization no: 24888, MAH: GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA

The partially reimbursed intranasal Fuenz Tetra vaccine was not on the list, but Deputy Minister of Health Waldemar Kraska informed that it would be available.

At the Ministry of Health, we tried to find out how many flu vaccines were purchased for the 2020/2021 season. We received the following answer:

– The availability of vaccines on the market depends on the producers and free market allocation in an EU country. The vaccine should be available on the Polish market from September, the manufacturer declares.

When will the flu vaccine be available?

Deputy Minister of Health Waldemar Kraska informed that the nasal flu vaccine for children will be available at the beginning of September. The remaining flu vaccines are expected to be available in mid-September.

When is the best time to get a flu shot?

The best time to get the flu shot is between September and the end of December. When vaccinating against the flu during this period, we have time to develop immunity before the peak of the disease, which falls in Poland from the beginning of January to the end of March. Of course, you can get vaccinated throughout the season, but it is worth remembering that vaccine immunity is obtained 7-14 days after vaccination.

We should also remember that the virus mutates, which is why vaccination is repeated every year.

Are you vaccinated against the flu? Or maybe this year you plan to get vaccinated for the first time? Write to us on [email protected]

The editorial board recommends:

  1. Flu vaccinations – indications, contraindications, dosage, prices
  2. This year everyone should get a flu shot. Will this save us from COVID-19?
  3. Expert: I recommend that you get flu vaccinations commonly

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