Influenza epidemic in Poland. Record numbers of infections

From the beginning of September, 845 thousand people fell ill with influenza in Poland. people. Record-breaking October came after the record-breaking September. That’s why doctors urge us to think more seriously than usual about the flu vaccine. Especially since it can be combined with the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

1. In October, 475 fell ill with flu. people. This is a record result for this month
2. This is just the beginning of the season, the peak incidence will be in the new year
3. The vaccine is the most effective tool in the prevention of infectious diseases
4. More information can be found on the Onet homepage

Flu in Poland – a record of cases in October

The flu doesn’t stop. According to the data published by the National Institute of Public Health – National Institute of Hygiene, 370 people were reported in September. illness and suspicion of influenza. This is a record result for September data in recent years.

In October, the disease took an even greater toll. 475 fell ill with the flu people. It is over 200 thousand. more than a year ago (then it was 262). However, 2020 was a specific year, marked by the coronarovirus pandemic – on the one hand, we took more care to avoid infectious diseases, and on the other – the diagnosis of influenza was severely limited.

What was it like in the pre-pandemic times? In October 2019, 470 fell ill with flu. people, a year earlier it was 398 thousand, and in 2017 – 457 thousand.

The rest of the article is available under the video:

When it comes to the entire season (the flu season is from September to August of the following year), the 45/2017 season was the record season in the last 2018 years. Then 5 million 415 thousand fell ill. people. At the moment, we have 845 thousand. and it should be remembered that the most infections occur in the winter months, between January and March, and the peak falls in mid-February.

Source: National Institute of Public Health – National Institute of Hygiene

Vaccination against influenza – the most effective protection

The current flu season promises to be record-breaking, so it is worth getting vaccinated against this disease. Preventive vaccinations are the most effective tool in combating infectious diseases. They protect against disease, as well as severe complications and death from infection.

1. Why is it worth getting the flu vaccine, especially now? 10 good reasons

Vaccinations prevent disease in 40-70%. depending on the flu season and the vaccinated population. The effectiveness of flu vaccines also depends on the health and age of the person to be vaccinated, and the type / subtype of influenza virus causing infections in that season.

Importantly, as with COVID-19 vaccines, influenza vaccination provides high protection against severe disease and post-influenza complications.

Vaccination against influenza and COVID-19 – it is possible at the same time

There are quite a few people who have yet to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, or wait for a third dose. Can I get the flu vaccine at the same time? Doctors recommend this solution.

– We urge that in the upcoming epidemic season, when the flu is coming, you also get vaccinated against the flu and you can combine it with the third dose of COVID-19 – said Prof. Krzysztof J. Filipiak, Rector of the Medical University of Maria Skłodowskiej-Curie in Warsaw.

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– With the older types of vaccines, we kept the 14-day interval. In the case of the mRNA vaccine, i.e. the vaccine that we will vaccinate as the third dose against COVID-19, it does not matter – explained prof. Filipiak.

– Most people absolutely can have the two vaccines at the same time. We vaccinate like that, we have experience in it and it is really safe. Nothing bad is happening – added the national consultant in the field of family medicine, Dr. Agnieszka Mastalerz-Migas.

Flu – Who Can It Most Most?

Influenza is a group of clinical symptoms associated with an acute respiratory infection. The onset of flu is quite rapid, and the most common symptoms are fever, runny nose, cough, headache, sore throat, muscle aches, and a feeling of breakdown and weakness. In younger children, the most common symptoms are fever and abdominal pain. Occasionally, vomiting and mild diarrhea are also observed. The flu usually clears up on its own after about seven days, but some symptoms, such as coughing and general weakness, can go on for much longer.

Anyone can get flu, but the flu is especially hard to get:

1. people over 65 years of age,
2. children under the age of 5,
3. pregnant women,
4. overweight / obese people,
5. people with chronic diseases: heart, lungs, immunodeficiency (e.g. HIV infection), diabetes, congestive heart failure.

Influenza Vaccines – Reimbursed Children

Let us remind you that the Ministry of Health extended the group of people entitled to 50 percent. influenza vaccination refund. Until recently, this concerned children aged 2 to 5, and from November The 50% refund is to cover children and adolescents from 6 months to 18 years of age.

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For a refund of 50 percent. also people aged 65-74, as well as people aged 18-64 from the risk group of severe flu (after solid organ transplant, with respiratory failure, bronchial asthma, COPD, cardiovascular failure, coronary artery disease, renal failure, recurrent nephrotic syndrome, liver, metabolic diseases, including diabetes, neurological and neurodevelopmental diseases, with impaired immune system, including after transplantation of haematopoietic and cancerous cells of the haematopoietic system).

Flu vaccines – who gets vaccinated for free?

In accordance with the ordinance of the Minister of Health from August, 100 percent refunds. can be used by people over 75 years of age and pregnant women, as well as medical workers, pharmacists, academic teachers, students and doctoral students participating in classes with the participation of patients, employees of pharmaceutical inspection, employees of social welfare homes, employees of schools and kindergartens, care and educational institutions, care and therapeutic centers and pre-adoption intervention centers.

Patients of care and treatment facilities, nursing and care facilities, hospices, palliative medicine departments and residents of social welfare homes can also benefit from free vaccinations.

1. Flu in Poland 2020/2021. How many sicknesses and deaths?

Officers or soldiers of: the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland, the Police, the Border Guard, the Marshal’s Guard, the Internal Security Agency, the Foreign Intelligence Agency, the Central Anticorruption Bureau, the Military Intelligence Service, the Military Counterintelligence Service, the Customs and Treasury Service, and the State Fire Service can get vaccinated free of charge. , The State Protection Service, the Prison Service, the Road Transport Inspection, the Railroad Guard, the municipal (city) guard and members of voluntary fire brigades, mountain and water rescuers performing rescue operations.

Flu vaccine – how many doses are available?

– This year we have doubled, and even two and a half times bigger purchases have been made – said Minister of Health Adam Niedzielski recently. In the previous season, 2,3 million people were vaccinated. This means that almost 5 million flu vaccines will eventually be available. – It should definitely be enough – emphasized Niedzielski.

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– There should be enough for everyone – Paulina Keler from the press office of the Polish Program Against Influenza told us similarly. – 12 tranches are to be released by December, the earliest ones are usually the smallest. The peak of the flu season falls in the first months of the new year, so you can get vaccinated from September to January, even until February – she noted.

– Larger deliveries will be from the beginning of November to mid-November, then the vaccines will certainly be available in pharmacies in health care centers. These will certainly be intranasal and intramuscular vaccines. The final installment should be in December, Keler said in a recent press conference.

Flu vaccines – what are available?

The following vaccines were purchased for Poland:

1. Influvac Tetra – inactivated vaccine containing purified surface antigens of 4 influenza viruses (administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously)
2. Vaxigrip Tetra – an inactivated vaccine containing a split virion obtained from 4 influenza viruses as antigens (administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously)
3. Fluarix Tetra – an inactivated vaccine containing a split virion obtained from 4 influenza viruses as antigens (administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously)
4. Fluenz Tetra – live vaccine, the antigens are weakened influenza viruses grown in such a way that they multiply only at a lower temperature of about 25 degrees C, which causes them to replicate in the nasal cavity, not in the lungs (administered intranasally).

They were covered by the refund VaxigripTetra (100 or 50 percent), Influvac Tetra (100 or 50 percent) i Fluenz Tetra (50 proc.).

Flu vaccines – how are they now available in pharmacies?

Vaccines are now available in pharmacies Vaxigrip Tetra (it can be found in pharmacies all over Poland, but the number of items available is usually small, with a 100% fee, it costs PLN 51,86), Influvac Tetra (available in larger numbers in many pharmacies, price – PLN 51,52) i Fluenz Tetra (it can be found in pharmacies all over Poland, the price is PLN 95,73, with a fee of 50% – PLN 47,87).

Fluarix Tetra it was supposed to be delivered to Poland at the latest, it is not in pharmacies yet.

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3. The second dose of the vaccine “swept them”. Will they sign up for the third one?

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