“Preparing for the COVID-Influenza Double Epidemic: Guidelines for Vaccination and Risk Groups in 2023”

Keypoint :

• It is predicted that this year, during the rainy season, two respiratory diseases, influenza and COVID-19, will occur together.
• Guidelines for vaccination for COVID-19 and influenza in 2023 is the first year that will be organized as an annual vaccine, 2 injections at the same time for free. to risk groups
• Risk groups that need to receive both vaccination to prevent disease. and channels for accessing services

COVID-Influenza Double Epidemic High

Dr. Sophon Iamsirithavorn Deputy Director General Department of Disease Control (Kor.) Said that in 2023 there is a high probability that there will be an outbreak of influenza along with COVID-19. Around the world, more influenza outbreaks have already been found because in the past 2 years, there was a COVID-19 that made travel less. go down But this year there was more travel. There is a chance to find more outbreaks. which Thailand An outbreak of influenza has begun. considered faster than usual, which often spread during the rainy season

During the three months of 2023, 38,291 influenza patients were found, with a sickness rate of 57.87 per hundred thousand population. One death was reported in Songkhla province, with a mortality rate of 0.003, although the rainy season had not yet arrived.

As for COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital, accumulated from 1 Jan. to 15 Apr. 2023, there were 5,4823 reports, 273 cumulative deaths.

Free service, 2 vaccines, risk groups

Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Said COVID was a seasonal disease. The vaccine must be vaccinated every year. And have developed you to prevent infection every year has ordered the public health service unit Established an immunization vaccination service department which the Academic Committee commented that both the COVID-19 vaccine and the influenza vaccine can be received at the same time It will provide free service for both types of risk groups.

By assigning the National Health Security Office (NHSO) to come up with a couple service package for people to come and get the service. This year, there is no need to budget for the purchase of additional COVID-19 vaccines. There is still enough to inject the stimulant needle.
COVID-19 Vaccine

The COVID-19 vaccine, the Ministry of Public Health recommends vaccination 3 months after the last dose, with Pfizer and Moderna’s new Bivalent vaccine for ages 12 and older, and for children it is still monovalent. Stimulate the immune system to create a high level of immunity to prevent infection or prevent the risk of serious and severe illness.

Children’s Bivalents will be procured in the next phase. A number of Monovalents were procured last year. Injection services can be provided according to the target age group specified. The vaccine company is registered with The FDA now has more than 10 million doses of all kinds of spare vaccines.

People can get COVID-19 vaccination service. at the service unit as specified by the Provincial Public Health Office For COVID-19 vaccination sites under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Public Health in Bangkok, namely Bang Rak Center, Rajavithi Hospital institute of dermatology Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health Priest Hospital and Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute, Nonthaburi Province

Prof. Kulkanya, M.D. Chokpaiboonkit Lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital Said that getting the COVID-19 vaccine needed to get 3-4 doses, making it possible to protect or prevent mutated strains well, after everyone has basic immunity. maybe poke once a year and sprayed before the rains during the high epidemic After that, at the end of the year, the beginning of the year, the epidemic declined, thus encouraging the highest landscape. Even if the infection is not severe In the XBB strain, up to 4 doses of the vaccine are required and can be given along with the influenza vaccine.

influenza vaccine

Prof. Dr. Thiraphong Tanthawichien, Lecturer of Infectious Diseases Unit Department of Internal Medicine Faculty of Medicine Chulalongkorn University Said there are currently two types of influenza vaccines:

• 3 species, most of which are vaccines that the government provides free of charge to people at risk.
• 4 types of species provided by the government for medical personnel pregnant women And are generally available in private hospitals and clinics.
• 

“Two influenza vaccines are effective, but with medical advances, A quadrivalent vaccine has been developed to enhance immunity and prevent influenza infection. In particular, it is used for the elderly group that has disadvantages in the body, that is, when they get older, the response to commonly used vaccines is lower than that of younger people. Under the supervision of a doctor, ”Prof. Dr. Thiraphong said.

7 risk groups should receive 2 vaccines

7 groups of people at risk who should attend the annual vaccination service Prevent influenza and COVID-19 If wishing to inject together will start from May 1, 2023 onwards, including

1. Young children aged 6 months to 2 years

2. People with chronic diseases, 7 groups of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, kidney failure, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and diabetes.

3. People with mental retardation who can’t help themselves

4. Thalassemia and people with impaired immunity (including symptomatic HIV-infected)

5. Obesity (weight over 100 kg or BMI > 35 kg/m2)

6. Elderly aged 65 years and over

7. Pregnant women, gestational age of 4 months or more (available throughout the year)

Ways to receive vaccination services

1. Contact your regular service unit or hospital. or service units in the National Health Security System (NHSO). See the list at ‘Health Bag’ app ‘Pao Tang’

2. Only in Bangkok. You can reserve your vaccination rights in advance through the ‘Health Bag’, the Pao Tang app. The system will start service from April 17, 2023 – August 31, 2023 or until the vaccine runs out.

3. Those who live in Bangkok but are not comfortable booking through the wallet app Contact the service unit in the system. NHSO everywhere.

4. Booking an appointment to receive the service depends on the conditions of each service unit. If unable to make an appointment Please inquire directly with the service unit for service inquiries.