The COVID-19 pandemic overshadowed everything and our deal with the flu was sidelined.
In fact, the flu seems to have completely forgotten us, since last winter the flu and common cold had almost disappeared from both hemispheres of our planet. But that did not happen because the flu disappeared. It still exists, it will exist and it will bother us every year. We must try to limit its presence as much as possible. Because it is a viral respiratory disease, the main weapon of treatment is vaccination. (Regarding the “disappearance” of the flu and common cold last winter, this was mainly the result of strict isolation and distancing measures. It is strong evidence that these simple measures, if implemented properly, work best in controlling the epidemic).
Influenza is a seasonal communicable disease of the respiratory system, caused by the influenza virus and accompanied by significant morbidity and mortality in some vulnerable groups. In our country in recent years the flu activity begins in December and peaks in February to March.
The most radical way of treatment is prevention and the most effective way of prevention is the general personal hygiene measures, the measures to prevent the spread and, mainly, the vaccination.
As every year, the flu vaccine (which has a different composition each year due to mutations in the virus) starts to be available from the beginning of October and the vaccination must be completed 4-6 weeks before the start of the annual epidemic wave, ie in late November. It is noted that it takes about 2 weeks after vaccination to achieve complete immunity.
Vaccination has been shown to reduce the chance of:
a. flu disease
b. hospitalization, serious illness or death from the flu
The quadrivalent vaccine that is already available is effective and safe and covers all 4 subtypes of the virus that we estimate will prevail this season. Finally, do not forget that the flu is not treated with antibiotics!
Who should get the flu vaccine?
• People over 60 years old
• People aged 6 months to 60 years with underlying chronic diseases or immunosuppression
• Pregnant women regardless of trimester of pregnancy, pregnant and breastfeeding
• People with morbid obesity (body mass index> 40)
• Children under chronic aspirin administration
• People caring for infants or the elderly
• Employees in health care facilities and other professional facilities, etc.
We must also not forget that the flu vaccine:
• Protects against the flu but not the common cold viruses that continue to cause annoying but very mild illness. Therefore, the fact that we did the vaccine and “caught a cold” does not mean that the vaccination failed.
• It is administered in only 1 dose.
• Can be co-administered with the pneumococcal vaccine (for those who have not)
• If for any reason it is not given during the recommended period it can be given later
• It is a maximum necessity for the medical staff, the vaccination coverage of which is an indicator of the quality of the hospital but also of the health system of a country
Why do some people vaccinated with the flu vaccine have cold symptoms?
The following may occur in these individuals:
“Colds” can be caused by a common cold virus (out of the hundreds that are circulating) that are not covered by the flu vaccine – the most common version.
• The person has been infected with the flu virus immediately after vaccination so complete immunity has not been developed to protect them.
• The person has been infected with the flu virus but just because they have been vaccinated, they get very mild illness (target of the vaccination).
• The person due to severe immunosuppression has not developed an adequate immune response or has been infected by a strain that is not covered by the available vaccines (the rarest version).
The flu vaccine at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic
• It can be given at any time, even at the same time (in a different position, however) with the coronavirus vaccine
• Asymptomatic patients with documented COVID-19 infection should get the flu vaccine as soon as their isolation is over.
• Asymptomatic people who have come into contact with a confirmed case and have a negative laboratory test for coronavirus can get the flu vaccine.
Symptomatic patients with COVID-19 are vaccinated with influenza vaccine after isolation and after remission of symptoms.
Why should the flu vaccine be intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic?
The coexistence of a respiratory infection from two dangerous viruses at the same time is the worst that could happen.
• There is evidence that people who have been vaccinated against the flu get milder if they become infected with the coronavirus.
• The health system operates marginally due to COVID-19 and must be protected from the extra pressure that influenza infections would exert on unvaccinated patients (hospitalization) or nursing staff (absence from the “battlefield” due to infection).
Finally, we must keep in mind the following:
The use of the mask and other distancing measures greatly helped to significantly reduce the flu during the last season. There is a possibility (mainly due to the fatigue of the population) that the above measures will be relaxed this winter. This is something that should not happen in any way. For this reason, other (except vaccination) measures not only should not be relaxed but should be intensified. We can not put up with two enemies at the same time (COVID-19 & flu) now that some light begins to appear at the bottom of the tunnel.
Writes:
Athanasios Skoutelis Pathologist – Infectious Diseases Specialist
Director of the 2nd Pathological – Infectious Diseases Clinic HYGEIA
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