Peak flu season in Andalusia set to arrive in two weeks

The influenza virus emerged months earlier. If intensity peaks usually occur in December and January, this year several communities suffered from intensity peaks in October, although temperatures remained above normal. According to the latest report from the National Epidemiological Surveillance Network of the Carlos III Institute, Catalonia, Valencia and Castilla-La Mancha have very high circulation .In Andalusia the level is still medium «but we hope that pICOs have strong performance in weeks, A month at most, because of its proximity to the community of Castile-La Mancha,” Alfonso Carmona, dean of the Faculty of Physicians of Seville, explained to this newspaper.

Doctors note that flu season is unusual.The reason lies in society Lost natural immunityHe contracted the flu by taking the following measures Protection for use with Covid. This results in influenza outbreaks being continuous rather than seasonal. Now that masks have been completely phased out, and given what’s happening in the northern hemisphere, experts predict the flu season will be similar to pre-pandemic times.

Regardless, Carmona calls for vaccinations, especially given the season is expected toThe main strain is influenza A (subtypes H1N1 and H3N2), often causing more severe symptoms. «You have to be very careful with this virus, influenza causes more than 1 billion cases every year, 3 to 5 million of them severe; “This could affect some of us,” he warned. In this sense, remember that vaccines have improved a lot and it is now more difficult to get a vaccine. immune escape: “They are now quadrivalent and include two strains of influenza A and two strains of influenza B. I appeal to parents of children under 6 to vaccinate them. Also suitable for people over 60 and those with Young people with certain diseases,” said the dean of the Faculty of Physicians of Seville.

The Ministry of Health of the Government of Andalusia launches lCombined influenza and COVID-19 vaccination campaign In the nursing home at the end of September. Yesterday, the second phase was launched, targeting people over 70 years old, pregnant women, children under 6 months of age and high-risk groups. In total, health authorities plan to vaccinate 2 million people, surpassing last year’s record, given that the adult flu vaccination age has been lowered to 60 this season.

Carmona also remembers the importance of vaccinations Child population. In this sense, remember that the injectable vaccine is suitable for children up to two years old, and for children from 2 to 18 years old, there is also an inhaled vaccine, which can be purchased with a prescription and costs about 40 euros. “It acts on the nasal mucosa and is as effective as other medications,” Carmona added.

For infants under one year old, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccination Causes bronchiolitis. According to the Ministry of Health, the vaccination effect is very good, and 70% of babies have been vaccinated. Thousands of RSV hospitalizations are expected to be avoided using this tool: last year alone, there were 2,500 RSV hospitalizations in Andalusia.

However, the dean of the Faculty of Physicians of Seville regrets that it only applies to babies born in hospitals of the Andalusian Health Service (SAS), excluding those born in private hospitals. “This differential treatment is unfair and it is the right of all children, so I call for reflection,” Carmona said.