“We want to increase coverage of all target groups” Jorge del Diego, Director of the Public Health and Drug Regulatory Agency

–The consequences of the flu are downplayed. How do we define its impact and morbidity and mortality?

– Influenza remains the viral infection with the greatest impact on population health each year. A peak in incidence occurring within 2-3 months is frightening for any health system, whether primary care or hospital care. It is understood that, depending on the year, between 5,000 and 15,000 people may die each year in Spain. In other words, the number of fatalities is 10 times that of traffic accidents. The usual “it’s just like the flu” comparisons don’t help us, because just because it’s an infection that reoccurs every year doesn’t make it any less serious.

– Two months into the campaign, half a million vaccines have been administered. How would you rate the progress of influenza vaccination? What are your goals for this year?

– Our current influenza vaccination coverage is not adequate. We know how beneficial this vaccine is for people and we continue to encourage and advise them to come and get it because we know that anxiety about getting it has decreased over the past two years since the COVID-19 pandemic was brought under control, and that’s thanks to vaccine. Confidence in influenza vaccination has increased significantly over the past three years. Before 2020, Andalusia had a coverage rate of 45-50% for people over 65 years old. In the past two events it was 70% and this year it is 55% and we need to repeat the data from the previous events. This is also the second year we have systematically vaccinated all boys and girls aged 6 to 59 months against influenza. Last year our coverage reached 46%, this year we have exceeded 30% and we hope to exceed this percentage.

——Which groups need to improve coverage?

– Risk groups include people over 60 years old, people under 60 years old with underlying medical conditions, boys and girls aged 6 to 59 months, pregnant women, health professionals and other essential occupations such as security forces and institutions. We want to increase coverage across all target groups. We’re very interested in getting into the groups that have the greatest impact on complications, hospital admissions and deaths, such as people over 60 and all people with chronic conditions. We expect this to increase among children year by year as parents become better aware of the benefits of this vaccination.

——The age of senior citizens will be lowered to 60 this year. What are the benefits of this measure?

– The risk of complications from respiratory infections has been shown to begin at age 60 years. COVID-19 infection starts at age 60, and the same goes for pneumococci. Therefore, in order to better coordinate all these measures, it was decided to start systematic influenza vaccination also at the age of 60 years. After getting the flu, your risk of heart attack or stroke increases eightfold or tenfold in the following days.

“Confidence in influenza vaccination has increased significantly over the past three years”

– In the face of the COVID-19 epidemic, society has lost its sense of risk. What does a combined flu and COVID vaccination offer?

– The success of COVID-19 vaccines and their control of the pandemic is why we now have lower risk perceptions for both diseases and why coverage rates may be declining. COVID vaccinations once helped increase flu vaccinations, and now flu vaccinations may also help COVID vaccinations. Giving both vaccines at the same time is a safe practice and will undoubtedly increase coverage with both vaccines.

– Which strengths of the Andalucia program would you highlight and what areas do you think need improvement?

– Improved information, awareness and accessibility of vaccinations for citizens and professionals, which means better coverage. The Andavac website provides both with a wealth of up-to-date and reliable information on general and ongoing vaccination campaigns, as well as weekly coverage data. Apps like Clic Salud and the Respond Health app help you make appointments easily. As an aspect of improvement, we hope to eventually have data on vaccinations taking place in private consultations, which we expect to be available within 1-2 years.

– Some studies hint at the need for increased awareness of influenza vaccination. Is it possible to encourage health professionals to get vaccinated?

– Vaccination advice given to patients by health professionals remains the main reason a person should be vaccinated. We must encourage opportunistic vaccination. That is to say, people who are eligible for vaccination can check whether they have been vaccinated no matter what reason they come for consultation. If not, they can get vaccine consultation and get flu vaccine, new crown vaccine and other vaccines you need (pneumococcus, etc.) at home. ). Along with these actions and recommendations, we as health care workers must also fulfill our responsibility and receive the flu vaccine.