Being vaccinated against the flu reduces severe symptoms and mortality from this disease (Getty)
Influenza, also known as the flu, is a highly contagious respiratory infection that affects millions of people worldwide each year. In some cases, the flu causes mild symptoms, but it can also be serious and even deadly, especially for people over 65, newborns, and those with chronic illnesses or immune compromise.
The most effective way to avoid hospitalization and reduce the risk of developing severe forms of the disease is annual and timely vaccination. In Argentina, flu immunization is free for prioritized risk groups and is part of the National Vaccination Calendar, however, for various reasons, many people do not receive the doses they need to be protected.
Within this framework, since last month, the 2023 Anti-flu vaccination solidarity campaign has been underway, which seeks to apply 5,000 vaccines to vulnerable groups to guarantee their protection and well-being.
Children under 6 months to two years of age are a very important target population to be vaccinated against the flu (Getty)
According to data from the latest Epidemiological Bulletin of the National Ministry of Health, updated to week 24 of 2023, there is “a gradual increase in cases of influenza in the context of advanced seasonal activity of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) compared to with previous years”. In the period analyzed, in addition to SARS-CoV-2, circulation of RSV, influenza, parainfluenza, adenovirus, and metapneumovirus was detected. The official report indicates that up to week 23 of this year, 371,803 cases of ILI (Influenza Type Disease) were detected throughout the country.
Likewise, according to data from the Ministry of Health, during 2022 there was a marked increase in cases in the country of flu-like illness compared to 2020/2021 and 2018/2019. “During the pandemic, for two years, we had almost no circulation of respiratory viruses, including influenza. But in 2022 we had three epidemic outbreaks in Argentina: one in the summer, another in autumn-winter a little less than the summer one, and one that occurred in the spring months, which is why it is essential to get vaccinated as soon as possible,” he highlighted in Infobae. Dr. Roberto Debbag, infectologist and president of the Latin American Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, in the framework of the Vaccination Week of the Americas held in April.
For his part, Pablo Bonvehí, infectious disease specialist and head of the Infectious Diseases section at Hospital Cemic explained: “People over 65 years of age are at greater risk of suffering complications from the flu due to a phenomenon called immunosenescence, which is the loss of immune response capacity, not only against vaccines, but also against infections.
The flu is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus (iStock)
The groups prioritized for the flu vaccine are: pregnant people (at any time of pregnancy), postpartum people, girls and boys from 6 to 24 months of age (they must receive two doses separated by at least 4 weeks), everyone over 65 years, and people between 2 and 64 years with risk conditions such as obesity, diabetes, respiratory diseases, heart diseases, congenital or acquired immunodeficiencies, oncohematological patients, transplant patients or chronic renal failure. Health personnel are also included in this prioritized group.
Regarding what is the ideal time of the year to get immunized against influenza, the doctor Juan Manuel Castelli, Undersecretary of Health Strategies in the Ministry of Health of the Nation, had indicated in Infobae that “although the ideal is to get vaccinated in the fall or before Before winter sets in, many people delay getting their flu vaccination and then skip it. It is important to remind them that even after winter has passed, it is important to get vaccinated at any time, even in September or October, since last year we had a major outbreak of influenza in October.
Most people with the flu get better on their own. But sometimes this disease and its complications can be deadly. (Getty)
The 2023 Influenza free vaccination solidarity campaign is aimed at those who need it most and is organized by the Rossi Center, Droguería del Sud and Stamboulian Health Services. The objective of the initiative is to distribute and apply 5,000 vaccines in the most vulnerable communities.
The campaign is carried out in neighborhood clubs, NGOs, soup kitchens and parishes during the months of June and July in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires and in the Province of Buenos Aires. The scope of the campaign could be expanded thanks to the agreement with the Civil Association “Will you give me an hour?”, the NGO in which a group of doctors donate an hour of their time to treat low-income people free of charge.
“Vaccination is a key tool to prevent severe forms of flu. If the pandemic taught us anything, it is that we must make the most of every vaccination opportunity,” said Mariano Masciochi, president of the Civil Association “Will you give me an hour?” .
According to the data provided in the most recent Vital Statistics report of the National Ministry of Health, during the year 2021, a total of 63,018 Argentines lost their lives due to diseases related to the respiratory system. Among the fatalities, 33,812 people died from influenza and pneumonia. These figures represent 8.2% of the total number of deaths from causes identified in that year.
According to data from the Ministry of Health, during 2022 there was a marked increase in cases in the country of flu-like illness compared to 2020/2021 and 2018/2019.
“Influenza vaccination is the best way to protect yourself against this disease, reduce its severity and avoid its possible complications. In addition, it is key to understand that not only those who get vaccinated are protected, but also those around them,” said Agustina Rossi, director of Centro Rossi.
For his part, Hernán Bagliero, CEO of Droguería del Sud, considered that “being part of this flu vaccination campaign together with these renowned institutions, bringing vaccines to neighborhood clubs, NGOs, soup kitchens and parishes is truly a source of pride for us. It is part of our commitment to care for the health and well-being of all Argentines.”
The influenza virus is transmitted from person to person. When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, they release small droplets that can land in the mouths or noses of nearby people. Occasionally, a person can get the flu by touching a surface or object contaminated with the virus and then touching their mouth, nose, or possibly eyes.
Flu symptoms come on suddenly and can include fever, muscle aches, chills and sweating, headache, persistent dry cough, shortness of breath, tiredness and weakness, stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, and pain in the eyes. Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhea.
Keep reading:
What three infectious disease experts say about the flu campaign in ArgentinaFlu vaccination: warn that risk groups should apply the doses in the face of an increasingly extensive influenza seasonVaccination guide to face winter: Flu and COVID-19, which are the latest recommendations
2023-06-30 03:15:55
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