Until two years ago, SARS-CoV-2 left little room for other respiratory viruses to survive. It changes the seasonal cycles of some microorganisms. However, traditional respiratory viruses have made a comeback and are taking regular spots on the calendar. This is what happens with the flu. As the cold sets in, the disease is already starting to take its toll. However, according to expert forecasts, the number of infections this season is expected to be lower than in 2022, although the onset will last longer and will peak after Christmas.
Data from the Carlos III Institute show that the incidence of influenza has increased in recent weeks and has reached 2.1%, but it is still well below the 14% in the same week last year.
“Since the first wave of cases that occurred in October 2022 has not yet appeared, this flu and cold season is expected to be more similar to what we experienced before the covid-19 pandemic broke out,” he noted. Nistal, from CEU St. Barb Department of Pharmacy, Luo University.
Seasonal influenza shares space with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which saw a resurgence in cases last summer as two new variants emerged, and vaccines for the virus have been included in flu vaccination campaigns for high-risk groups that began last year. . October will run through January, the company said in a statement.
The vaccination campaign aims to immunize 75% of high-risk groups, as the interaction of the two infections has been observed to double the risk of death from co-infection.