Europe recommends vaccination and wearing a mask for flu

The flu is coming forward and putting hospitals on alert: “The peak is expected in 4 weeks”

He European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has recommended vaccination this Thursday “without delay” due to an “unusual” early circulation of the flu in the countries of the European Union and the European Economic Area (EU/EEA), moving between three and four weeks ahead of the two previous seasons.

“This year we are seeing an increase in flu detection much earlier than usual, which means the time it is crucial (…) If you meet the requirements to be vaccinated, please do not wait. Getting vaccinated now is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and those around you from serious illnesses this winter,” said the head of Respiratory Viruses at the ECDC, Edoardo Colzani.

The person responsible for the spread of this new strain is the K subclade of the A(H3N2) gene, according to a risk assessment published throughout the day by the ECDC, which has insisted on the importance of all people can get vaccinated do sosince a higher than usual number of infections would mean “additional pressure” on health systems.

“While uncertainty remains over the public health impact of the upcoming flu season, the ECDC is preparing for the scenario of Europe facing a flu season more serious than previous onesespecially if vaccination coverage is low,” the agency added.

For all these reasons, the ECDC has insisted on the vaccination of the most vulnerable people, which includes people over 65 years of agepregnant women, people with chronic or underlying illnesses or immunocompromised, and people living in closed environments, such as nursing homes.

Mask and protocols

Likewise, he has asked that healthcare workers or workers in long-term care facilities be vaccinated; and that both health centers and nursing homes strengthen their preparedness plans and infection prevention and control measures, as well as encourage staff and visitors to use masks during periods of increased circulation of respiratory viruses.

For healthcare professionals, the ECDC has recommended considering administration rapid antiviral to patients at higher risk of severe disease to reduce complications.

In the case of health care providers, it has asked that consider the use of antiviral prophylaxis during outbreaks in closed settings, for example, nursing homes.

Finally, he stressed the importance of countries promoting “clear and adapted” communication to specific needs on vaccination, hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette to help reduce community transmission.