ISA: General meeting on the outbreak of viruses and the coronavirus – Recommendations for vaccination for the over 60s

The scientific community expects a further outbreak of viruses, flu and a new wave of coronavirus in the near future. The Medical Association of Athens convened a broad meeting of the Scientific Committee on Monday, with the participation of the representatives of SFEE, PEF and EODY, in order to assess the situation and discuss the necessary actions.

The need for timely administration of antiviral drugs and utilization by the scientific community of new treatments for the coronavirus was particularly emphasized in the context of the general meeting.

Intervention Side

The Minister of Health, Mr. Thanos Pleuris, also intervened, who pointed out that the request of the ISA, for the mandatory administration of all medicines with a medical prescription, according to the correct scientific practice, will be satisfied. Also, as he said, the request for a re-evaluation of the drugs that are on the Non-Prescription Drugs list is being considered.

For his part, the president of ISA G. Patoulis referred to the next critical period, during which a further outbreak of the corona virus, the flu which has an aggressive presence this year and other viruses is expected and called on the scientific community to be alert.

“In the coming weeks, a further increase in respiratory infections is expected. Patients should contact the attending physician in time to prevent any complications and follow his recommendations. Also, the doctors should follow the instructions of the Scientific Societies and make use of the new weapons of science”, emphasized Mr. Patoulis.

At the same time, the drug shortages observed in the market were discussed. The President of SFEE, Mr. Olympios Papadimitriou, expressed his assessment that in the next period of time, the situation will normalize, provided, however, that the demand is not going to increase further. For his part, the Authorized Advisor of PEF, Mr. Vassilis Pentafragas, characterized the problem as a perennial one and assured that for the coming months, the Greek pharmaceutical industry has reserved raw materials, to ensure the adequacy of the market.

The recommendations

Afterwards, the 1st Vice-President of EODY Professor Dimitris Paraskevis referred to the latest epidemiological data and emphasized the need, especially for the elderly, to take the booster dose for the corona virus. Professors Giorgos Saroglou and Kyriaki Kanelopoulou mentioned the need to expand the use of antiviral drugs, who clarified that newer guidelines provide that:

– in people over 60 years old with flu-like symptoms, the use of antiviral drugs is mandatory

– every patient over 60 years old even without comorbidities has an indication to take the antiviral drug for the corona virus as it has been proven to largely prevent admission to the hospital and reduce the possibility of long covid.

Professor and Member of the National Immunization Committee, Mr. Giorgos Chroussos, pointed out that the biggest problem for children at this time is the syncytial virus, as many children have not been immunized due to the pandemic. Regarding the flu vaccine, he clarified that it is mandatory for children up to one year old and for the rest of the children, according to the doctor’s recommendation.

Important interventions were also made by Mr. Chrysoula Nikolaou, Tasos Hatzis, Michalis Samarkos, Artemis Tsitsika, Nikos Kavkas, Manto Liapikou, Christos Tzivanidis, Leonidas Mantzos, Anastasios Spanos, Andreas Pagalis, Panos Efstathiou.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of ISA, Mr. F. Patsourakos (A Vice President), S. Tsoukalos (C. Secretary), G. Kehris (Treasurer), P. Leonardou (B Vice President).

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