The 2020/2021 flu season has already arrived, even ahead of its time: the first case in Italy was diagnosed in a 9-month-old baby in Parma. With the reopening of schools and the arrival of the first cold we are already witnessing one co-circulation of influenza viruses and SARS-CoV-2.
Something that worries everyone a little, especially for the difficulty of distinguishing the symptoms between the two, often overlapping, even if we can have some useful indicators, as we at QuiFinanza have examined who.
You already register one strong growth in demands for the flu vaccine to the local health authorities, where the distribution of doses has already begun in various regions. The demand for assisted family doctors, according to the Federation of General Practitioners, went from 52% in 2019 to 80-90% this year.
Why it is important to get vaccinated against the flu
In a circular published on 4 June last, the Ministry of Health explained that this year more than ever, just for distinguish similar symptoms between flu and Covid, it is necessary to reiterate the importance of influenza vaccination, particularly in high-risk individuals of all ages, to simplify the diagnosis and management of suspected cases.
Not only. The benefit of the flu shot is also that it allows you to reduce complications it gives flu to those at risk and, consequently, access to the emergency room with possible clogging of hospitals. We know that many Italian Regions have already prepared emergency management plans to strengthen intensive care in the area, and to increase the number of beds in the various departments.
The news of the 2020/2021 vaccine
The coverage objectives, for all target groups, are 75% as the minimum achievable objective and 95% as the optimal objective. The novelties of this year are two:
- due to the Coronavirus emergency, the flu shot this year is also recommended for children from 6 months to 6 years, that have no contraindications to the vaccine. In infants younger than 6 months, the flu vaccine is not sufficiently immunogenic and therefore does not confer sufficient protection. Immunization with currently available influenza vaccines is therefore not licensed for use or recommended for infants less than 6 months of age; is
- to all subjects aged 60 and over (in addition, as usual, to patients with chronic diseases and people over 65 years of age). To favor an extension of the vaccination plan and facilitate the differential diagnosis in the age groups of greater risk of serious disease, the Minister of Health Roberto Speranza has decided that the vaccine is free even in the 60-64 age group, as well as from 65 and up.
As regards the health and social health professions who work in contact with patients, and the elderly institutionalized in residential or long-term care facilities, vaccination is strongly recommended in view of a legislative initiative that makes it mandatory.
The categories for which the vaccine is always recommended and free
Here is the list of categories for which seasonal flu vaccination is actively recommended and offered for free.
People at high risk of influenza-related complications or hospitalizations:
- women who at the beginning of the epidemic season are in pregnancy or in the postpartum period
- subjects from 6 months to 65 years of age suffering from pathologies which increase the risk of complications from
influenza:
– chronic respiratory diseases (including severe asthma, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive bronchopathy – COPD);
– diseases of the cardio-circulatory system, including congenital and acquired heart disease;
– diabetes mellitus and other metabolic diseases (including obese people with a BMI> 30 body mass index);
– chronic renal / adrenal insufficiency;
– diseases of the hematopoietic organs and hemoglobinopathies;
– tumors and undergoing chemotherapy treatment;
– congenital or acquired diseases involving deficient antibody production, drug-induced immunosuppression or HIV;
– chronic inflammatory diseases and intestinal malabsorption syndromes;
– pathologies for which major surgical interventions are planned;
– pathologies associated with an increased risk of aspiration of respiratory secretions (eg neuromuscular diseases);
– chronic liver diseases. - subjects aged 65 or over
- children and adolescents being treated long-term with acetylsalicylic acid, at risk of Reye’s Syndrome in case of flu infection
- individuals of any age admitted to long-term care facilities
- family members and contacts (adults and children) of high risk individuals of complications, regardless of whether the person at risk has been vaccinated or not.
Subjects employed in public services of primary collective interest and categories of workers:
- doctors and health personnel care in facilities that, through their activities, are able to transmit flu to those at high risk of flu complications.
- police force
- fire fighters
- others socially useful categories who could take advantage of vaccination, for reasons linked to the performance of their work
- it is an internationally widespread practice to offer an active and free flu vaccination by employers to particularly exposed workers by activity carried out and in order to contain negative effects on productivity.
Personnel who, for work reasons, are in contact with animals that could be a source of infection with non-human influenza viruses:
- breeders
- breeding staff
- those involved in the transport of live animals
- slaughterers and vaccinators
- public and freelance veterinarians.
Blood donors
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