The outbreak of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic completely disrupted the natural epidemiological cycle of seasonal influenza common in winter. With such elaborate precautions against Covid-19 – such as maintaining social distance, using masks indoors or using hydroalcoholic gel for constant disinfection – it seems to have “gone away”.
Three years later, those habits have relaxed, which is a factor to consider, with experts warning that low immunity, combined with a lack of exposure to the virus, could lead to “more severe” incidence rates this season. presented in today’s society. Given the situation, the main advice is to adhere to the guidelines of the vaccination campaign, especially for those under 5 years of age and over 60 years of age. The latter entered the vaccination quota set by Andalusia’s military government for the first time this year, with the number starting at 65 in 2022. The Ministry of Health has expressed concerns to this newspaper about the “resistance” shown by this new group in other parts of the province and autonomous region of Granada. In fact, this is a problem across Spain.
José Martínez, a doctor specializing in preventive medicine, epidemiology and public health, explained to IDEAL: “The temperature changes this summer and autumn have made the incidence less frequent, so we do not consider the virus to be so dangerous and many people Nor have they been vaccinated,” said Olmos, also a teacher at the Andalusian School of Public Health.
According to him, “It is very likely that this wave will be delayed.” The peak of seasonal influenza infections usually occurs between the end of December and the end of January, but the onset may be later this winter. «The key is that we are on time. The health service has the vaccine and there is an opportunity for professionals and society to take advantage of it,” the doctor insisted.
“Higher” risk
Aurora Bueno, professor and director of the Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health at the University of Granada, noted that “in the past few seasons we have not had influenza because of the exhaustive precautions we took against the coronavirus Measures. ” That said, since 2020, influenza transmission has been very low and “the risk is getting higher because immunity is declining,” he warned.
Therefore, “when a wave comes, there may be more cases and more severe morbidity,” although there is no indication that any viruses not accounted for in the flu vaccine and COVID-19 cases will be transmitted…whether a wave occurs will Depends on whether strains emerge that bypass immune barriers. Regardless, “we’ll know when it starts circulating in Europe.”
The Sentinel Physician Network collects samples from primary and hospital care populations to understand “what is spreading.” Bueno emphasized: “The problem is that everything can change from one week to the next, and it is recommended to get vaccinated at least two weeks before the virus emerges, so now is the ideal time to get vaccinated.”
Predicting incidence rates “has always been a mystery” because influenza viruses mutate quickly. The vaccine is produced in anticipation of the strains that will be circulating that year. “Sometimes, it’s completely true, but sometimes, it’s not,” said Ignacio Molina, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at UGR and an expert in immunology. “We can’t forget that the mortality rate is quite high and it’s not a completely harmless pathogen,” he said.
“People have little respect for it because it is completely different from the common cold and can cause very serious complications, so it can be easily confused,” Molina stressed. Between 2,000 and 15,000 people die from influenza every year in Spain, depending on the situation Depending on the influenza strain, it is “critical to maintain the level of immunity in the population.”
Who should get vaccinated?
The flu vaccine has been shown to be effective in protecting against side effects and helps maintain quality of life, which is why many companies offer funding to their employees. Anyone can wear it, but it is especially suitable for high-risk people over 60 years old, and those with chronic, cardiovascular or pulmonary disease, high blood pressure or diabetes.
They also recommend the use of the drug in children under 5 years old “as they have not been exposed to the virus before and are the most likely to spread it.” In addition to this, Christmas is also a time of gatherings and get-togethers, which can lead to infection Multiply. Therefore, “it is important to practice measures such as social distancing or using masks, which are appropriate in the context of COVID-19, and to get vaccinated to build immunity.”