Winter is just around the corner and seasonal infections have begun to make their appearance in the rest of Europe.
The European Center for Infection Control (ECDC), as well as the World Health Organization, have already issued this year's recommendations to the competent national authorities, as well as to the citizens, ringing the first alarm bell for this season.
Influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, pneumococcus and COVID-19 have begun to make their appearance with COVID-19, of course, having the lead for the time being, as it is not characterized by the seasonality of the other winter infections.
At the same time, in Cyprus, after the delays that caused international upheavals in the planning of influenza vaccinations, the receipt of the 110.000 doses ordered by the Ministry of Health is expected today.
According to an official update of "F" from the Ministry of Health, the vaccines are expected to be received by the Directorate of Purchases and Supplies and all the specified procedures for the vaccination of citizens will be followed, either by the personal doctors and paediatricians of the GHS, or by the vaccination centers.
It is recalled that due to changes made by the World Health Organization in the recommendation of vaccines, the production of most pharmaceutical companies was affected, resulting in delays in the delivery of vaccines to the competent state authorities of several European countries.
In Cyprus, until today, only the vaccine intended for people up to 65 years of age was available and with today's receipt it is expected that the vaccination of other groups of the population, including children, will begin, with a delay of two weeks.
It is recalled that 10.000 vaccines will be provided by the Ministry of Health to private pharmacies which were informed a fortnight ago by the importing company that due to the problems that occurred in production, the execution of their orders became impossible.
Increasing trend in European countries
The first signs of an increase in the activity of respiratory infections are already being recorded in European countries, with Covid-19 currently in the lead.
Specifically, and according to the epidemiological surveillance of the ECDC, visits to Health Services for respiratory symptoms showed an increase in several countries, but remained overall at the usual levels for the time.
At the European level, during the 41st week, the median percentage of positive tests in primary care was 4.3% for SARS-CoV-2 and 3.4% for influenza. In hospital surveillance, the corresponding percentages were 5% and 4%.
The picture varies by virus. The flu remains at normal levels for the time being, with most cases involving type A, while the activity of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is characterized as very low.
Who should be protected as a matter of priority?
The WHO and the ECDC remind that influenza is not an innocent infection for everyone, pointing out that despite the fact that most people recover without serious problems, there are groups of the population that face a higher risk of complications and hospitalization.
In its announcement, the World Health Organization cites specific data on the effects of influenza. As it states, every year, seasonal flu causes between three and five million cases of severe illness worldwide and up to 650,000 deaths related to respiratory complications.
The WHO urges citizens not to wait for the peak of seasonal activity to protect themselves. He underlines that the annual influenza vaccination remains the most important measure for the prevention of severe disease, especially for those belonging to increased risk groups, as the onset and intensity of the seasonal circulation of viruses cannot be accurately predicted.
"Compliance with prevention measures, combined with vaccination, contributes to reducing the risk of serious illness and burden on health services."
Vulnerable groups include the elderly, pregnant women, young children, people suffering from chronic diseases and immunosuppressed people, while the WHO also refers to people with severe obesity and health professionals, for whom, as it emphasizes, vaccination is of particular importance, both for their personal protection and for the protection of their patients.
