Which high-risk groups should get the flu shot?
Anti-influenza vaccination is ongoing for high-risk groups. Influenza vaccines are available from pharmacies and are prescribed by attending physicians through the Electronic Prescription System of the Social Security Electronic Government (IDIKA SA), a supervised entity of the Ministry of Digital Governance.
The evolution of influenza vaccination (number of prescribed vaccines and vaccinations carried out) and their distribution in the individual groups of increased risk is monitored by the competent authorities on a daily basis, through the Electronic Prescription System. In particular, when prescribing the flu vaccine online, doctors also record the increased risk group to which each person they prescribe the vaccine belongs to. Pharmacists and doctors who administer flu shots also update the National Influenza Immunization Registry.
The epidemiological surveillance started on 03-10-2022 and will last until 21-05-2023. As of Thursday, October 20, 601,702 flu vaccinations have been administered.
According to the National Immunization Commission guidelines, influenza is a contagious respiratory disease caused by the influenza virus that can cause mild to severe illness. The elderly, young children, and people with certain chronic illnesses are at greater risk of serious complications from the flu. The effective way of prevention is vaccination with the flu vaccine.
The groups of increased risk in which influenza vaccination should be applied systematically and as a priority are the following:
1. People aged 60 and over
2. Children (6 months and older) and adults with one or more of the following aggravating factors or chronic diseases:
Chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Heart disease with severe hemodynamic disturbance
Immunosuppression (hereditary or acquired)
Organ transplantation and bone marrow transplantation
Sickle cell anemia (and other hemoglobinopathies)
Diabetes mellitus or other chronic metabolic disease
Chronic kidney disease
Chronic liver diseases
Neurological – neuromuscular diseases
Down syndrome
3. Pregnant women regardless of gestational age, lactating and lactating women
4. People with morbid obesity (Body Mass Index >40Kg/m2) and children with BMI >95th
5. Children taking aspirin long-term (eg for Kawasaki disease, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.)
6. People who are in close contact with children younger than 6 months or care for people with an underlying illness that increases the risk of flu complications
7. Closed populations, such as staff and internal students (schools, military and police schools, special schools and inmates and staff of institutions, etc.).
8. Workers in health care facilities (medical and nursing staff, other workers, students of health professions in clinical training) and in refugee-immigrant accommodation centers)
9. Homeless
10. Veterinarians, poultry farmers, pig farmers, breeders, slaughterers and general people who come into systematic contact with birds or pigs.
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