Filenews 14 October 2024
Information and instructions are given by the Ministry of Health on the vaccination plan against COVID-19 and influenza.
According to an announcement by the Ministry, the vaccines that will be made available for vaccination against seasonal influenza are Influvac sab-unit Tetra and Efluelda.
Efluelda will only be given to people over 60 years of age (subject to availability) and Influvac sab-unit Tetra vaccine to people over 6 months.
It is noted that through pharmacovigilance systems operating internationally, no serious systemic side effects of the flu vaccine, which is considered safe and effective, have been recorded.
The Ministry of Health provides free vaccines against seasonal influenza and the SARS-CoV2 virus and beneficiaries for vaccination are all beneficiaries of the GHS over 6 months, it is reported.
The Ministry notes that priority will be given to vulnerable and high-risk groups. The vaccination with the flu vaccine will be carried out by the personal doctor after arranging an appointment and the vaccination for COVID-19 will be carried out by the Adult Vaccination Centres (for 12 years and over) and the Maternity Protection and Child Welfare Centres (from 6 months to 11 years), with free origin (walk – in), according to their operating schedule.
In case the beneficiary wishes to be vaccinated simultaneously with both vaccines, then he/she will be able to be served through the aforementioned Vaccination Centres with free origin (walk-in).
It is reminded that for the administration of vaccines it is necessary to present an identification document (ID, passport, ARC).
Vaccination against COVID-19 can be done 4 months after the last vaccination and it is necessary to observe a minimum period of 3 months for vaccination against COVID-19, after a positive COVID-19 test.
People with severe immunosuppression will be able to receive additional doses 4-6 months after the most recent dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, upon written recommendation of their doctor.
Regarding seasonal influenza, the highest risk for serious illness and complications is found in adults aged 60 years and over and children > 6 months – 17 years old and other adults who present one or more of the following aggravating factors or chronic diseases: asthma or other chronic lung diseases, heart disease with severe hemodynamic disorders, immunosuppression (hereditary or acquired due to disease or immunosuppressive / immunomodulatory therapy), organ transplantation, sickle cell disease (and other serious haemoglobinopathies), diabetes mellitus or other chronic metabolic disease, morbid obesity (metabolic syndrome) with a body mass index (BMI) of >40 kg/m2, chronic kidney and liver disease and neuromuscular or neurological diseases.
Also considered vulnerable groups are pregnant women regardless of gestational age, women who have recently given birth, breastfeeding and children and adults who take aspirin long-term (eg Kawasaki disease, rheumatoid arthritis and others), for the possible risk of developing Reye's syndrome after influenza).
As stated in the announcement of the Ministry of Health, for preventive and public health reasons, all people who present a higher risk for serious illness and complications, as described above, people who are in close contact with children <6 months or care for people with an underlying disease, who are at increased risk of complications from influenza, should be vaccinated, Children > 6 months – 17 years old, closed populations (staff and internal students of schools, military and police schools, inmates and staff of institutions, recruits in the armed forces, etc.), conscripts in the Enlistment Centers, especially those who enlist during the winter months, employees in health services (medical, nursing staff and other workers), professionals such as veterinarians, poultry farmers, pig farmers, slaughterers and generally people who come in systematic contact with poultry.
It is noted that based on the flow of vaccine delivery quantities and the medical history of each patient, priority will be carried out by his Personal Doctor.
Regarding vaccination against COVID-19, the highest risk of serious illness and complications is faced by those over 60 years old, regardless of age, who live or work in nursing homes and closed structures, health care workers, with diabetes mellitus, with severe obesity: BMI ≥40 or ≥35, with metabolic syndrome, with severe chronic heart and vascular disease, with chronic severe kidney disease, with severe chronic liver disease, with severe chronic neurological disease, with haemoglobinopathies, pregnant immunodeficient and immunocompromised patients regardless of age with a history of solid organ transplantation receiving immunosuppressive therapy, with a history of transplantation of primordial hematopoietic organs receiving immunosuppressive therapy, with hereditary immunodeficiency, with HIV Infection/AIDS, on immunosuppressive therapy including biological agents, with renal failure undergoing haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.
As far as cortisone intake is concerned, this concerns individuals who have received or are receiving a total dose of >10 mg prednisone/day (=8 mg methylprednisolone) for one month in the last six months and individuals on active therapy for solid tumours and haematological malignancies.
CNA
