Virologist Marc Van Ranst expects a normal flu season this year, just like last year. Experts conclude this from data from Australia, where the flu season is already over.
It is remarkable, according to the virologist, that there was once again no circulation of the flu variant B-Yamagata in Australia. ‘Since 2020, that variant has disappeared everywhere, perhaps due to the corona measures that applied at the time.’
A traditional flu vaccine protects against four variants of the flu, including the B-Yamagata variant that has been missing since 2020. Is it now recommended to omit that strain from the classic flu vaccines? ‘It is still a bit too early for that,’ says Van Ranst. “Maybe that variant is gone for good, but I wouldn’t put money on it,” the virologist warns.
Flu shot at a pharmacist?
There are no precise figures, but it is estimated that less than 60 percent of people over 65 take a flu shot every year. Yet every year in our country, several hundred to several thousand people – depending on the severity of the flu season – die from the condition. Ninety percent of people who die from the flu are over 65. For Van Ranst, it is therefore essential that as many elderly people as possible are vaccinated against the flu.
Normally, pharmacists would be able to administer a flu shot from October 1. Due to an intervention by Vlaams Belang – MP Dominiek Sneppe requested a second reading in the committee – that date will not be met. It may provide a week’s delay, the virologist suspects. ‘Not so smart’, Van Ranst calls that postponement.
2023-09-28 15:15:52
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