Due to the corona virus, the annual flu vaccinations for the fall will be very different. Of course there are the necessary precautions, but the flu injection will also be set differently this year.
The Giessen-Rijswijk GP practice in Altena has more than 4000 patients and around 700 visit each year for a flu injection. In previous years a hectic, but also a pleasant time. One evening, the GPs and assistants saw long lines of patients passing by who were being vaccinated ‘on the conveyor belt’.
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Like all other GPs, this practice is also taking far-reaching measures to ensure that the coming flu vaccination proceeds safely. Walking routes, a tight schedule, protective clothing for doctors and masks for patients, just to name a few.
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What is special is that the injection is also administered in a different way, so that it is corona-safe for doctors and patients. On the advice of the Dutch College of General Practitioners, patients will be approached from behind for a flu shot. This is to prevent a sick patient from coughing or breathing in the doctor’s or assistant’s face.
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General practitioner Jacomien Zwemer explains what has changed:
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The annual influenza vaccination will be combined with a vaccination against pneumococci for the first time this year. The age group 73 to 79 years will then be vaccinated against the bacteria, which can cause pneumonia, among other things.
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“That combination of two vaccinations has nothing to do with corona,” says Jacomien Zwemer. “It is a coincidence of circumstances. Because of this combination, however, it is recommended to give the flu syringe in the left arm and the pneumococcus on the right, while flu was always given on the right. ”
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The practice in Giessen-Rijswijk has ordered more flu vaccines this year than the usual 700. “We have ordered 150 extra vaccinations because we expect more people to come.”
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Zwemer emphasizes that it is extremely important to actually come and get the flu injection this year if you receive an invitation. “The flu syringe can prevent the flu or make the disease less severe. Because you shouldn’t think about catching flu without a vaccination and then also corona. Theoretically you can. ”
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If you get flu-like symptoms after the flu shot, the doctor recommends having a corona test done. “A syringe like this elicits an immune response from the body and for some people these can be flu-like symptoms. Nevertheless, we recommend having a corona test done. ”
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