This year, everyone should get the flu shot. Will this save us from COVID-19? [WE EXPLAIN]
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In an interview with PAP, the chairman of the Scientific Council of the National Program for Combating Influenza, Prof. Adam Antczak said that it is 100 percent. it is certain that September flu season will coincide with the second wave of COVID-19 cases. The professor added that absolutely everyone should get vaccinated against the flu. Why?

  1. In Poland, over 2019 million cases of influenza and influenza were recorded in the 2020/3,7 flu season. Experts predict that this fall, the flu season will coincide with the second wave of coronavirus cases. This will put a heavy strain on health systems
  2. Doctors appeal to increase the flu vaccination level in Poland, especially among seniors. Research from Brazil suggests that flu vaccinated people may have a milder COVID-19 infection
  3. Influenza vaccination reduces the risk of serious complications and the risk of hospitalization, which may be important during the second wave of COVID-19 cases

Flu and coronavirus in Poland. They will meet each other this fall

The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has caused a global pandemic. To date, 13 SARS-CoV-472 coronavirus infections have been reported, 676 deaths due to COVID-2. 581 people were healed. Experts around the world fear that the second wave of COVID-573 will start in the fall and coincide with the flu season. This combination will put a heavy burden on health systems.

In Poland, during the 2019/2020 flu season (September 1 – April 30), we recorded 3 cases of influenza and suspected flu. From the data of the National Institute of Public Health-National Institute of Hygiene, we learn that 769 people required hospitalization, and 480 died.

See also: Why is the Coronavirus not like the flu? Just look at the death statistics

If the statistics in the 2020/2021 season are similar, and there are hospitalizations due to SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infections, it may turn out that we will struggle with overloading the health care system. Data from the Ministry of Health show that 1575 people with COVID-19 are currently hospitalized, and the number of ventilators seized is 73.

How to prepare for the second wave of coronavirus? One of the ways is to get vaccinated against the flu, which the chairman of the Scientific Council of the National Program Against Influenza, prof. Adam Antczak. As the professor admits, there is no evidence that the flu vaccine will protect us from infection, but he adds:

– Regular flu vaccination is known to reduce the course of the infection. If the disease does occur despite vaccination, it also protects against serious complications. Influenza vaccinated patients are also less likely to contract any other viral infections, and even, for example, the common colds caused by rhinoviruses.

There are many reasons for getting vaccinated against the flu.

Flu vaccination may reduce the course of COVID-19

A new study among COVID-19 patients suggests that taking the flu vaccine shortly before contracting COVID-19 reduces the likelihood of severe disease and the risk of death. Influenza vaccines should be widely used, according to researchers, to reduce the risk of severe COVID-19 disease, especially in high-risk groups.

The researchers analyzed the medical data of more than 92 COVID-19 patients from Brazil who recently received the flu vaccine. In the age group up to 10 years, the mortality rate among unvaccinated people was 14%, and in the age group over 90 years it was 84%. All age groups had lower mortality rates among those recently vaccinated against flu. Among the youngest patients, the risk of litter was lower by 17%, and among the oldest patients (90+) by 3%.

In addition, patients who had previously received flu vaccinations were down 8 percent. less frequently hospitalized in intensive care and about 20 percent. they needed respiratory support less frequently.

The study concluded that in the absence of a COVID-19 vaccine and no established treatment to prevent disease progression, Governments should consider promoting influenza vaccination at this time because of the benefits it can bring.

Influenza vaccination in a group of people at high risk

Doctors and scientists encourage flu vaccination, especially among people at high risk, including seniors.

«It is the elderly who are most at risk of developing dangerous complications from the flu. The level of vaccination against influenza in Poland should be improved in order to increase the resilience of Polish society and protect the weakest »- emphasized in an interview with PAP, Prof. dr hab. med. Tomasz Kostka, National Consultant in the field of Geriatrics.

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Seniors are also a group that suffers from COVID-2 disease more severely when infected with the SARS-CoV-19 coronavirus. As explained by dr hab. n. med. Tomasz Dzieciatkowski in an interview with Medonet, influenza vaccination will not protect against coronavirus, but it can help. First of all, during the diagnosis – flu vaccination partially protects against infection with this virus, therefore, for a doctor who treats a patient with characteristic symptoms, differential diagnosis will be easier.

In addition, thanks to the vaccine, we minimize the risk of co-infection, which may lead to a more severe course of the infection. Additionally, with influenza vaccination, we can to some extent prevent strain on health care systems during the flu-covid season.

«The data show that vaccination can reduce hospitalization for pneumonia and influenza by up to 33%, and reduce the number of deaths from this disease in the elderly by 67%. Increasing immunization coverage, which will be facilitated by including flu vaccinations on the list of reimbursed drugs for people over 75 years of age, will help protect the least resistant, and will significantly relieve the Polish health protection »- emphasize the scientists quoted by PAP.

The WHO recommended flu vaccination coverage should be 75%. for people over 65 years of age. According to the data presented by the “National Program for Combating Influenza” in Poland, this indicator fluctuates around 14 percent. in this age group.

The editorial board recommends:

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