Prevent the Flu

Throughout the month of October, a new flu vaccination campaign begins in Andalusia, targeting specific population groups: girls and boys from 6 to 59 months, people over 60 years old, people with chronic diseases, pregnant women, and healthcare and social health sector professionals.

The flu is a highly contagious viral disease that typically manifests as epidemics in the fall and winter seasons and is not a simple cold: each season it causes thousands of medical consultations, hospitalizations, and serious complications, especially among the most vulnerable people. The impact on the health system and society is very significant, especially among those over 60 years old.

According to the Strategic Vaccination Plan of Andalusia, each year there are between 3 and 5 million severe cases of flu and between 300,000 and 650,000 deaths worldwide (up to 15,000 deaths in Spain and between 500 and 2,000 in Andalusia). With these figures and the evidence accumulated over many years, it is clear that getting vaccinated against the flu not only protects the recipient but also helps to reduce transmission in the community. In this sense, vaccinating older adults has a dual effect: it protects those who have the highest risk of complications, and as for the vaccination of healthcare and social health sector professionals, it not only protects vulnerable individuals but also acts as a driver of awareness for the rest of the population.

It is important to emphasize the significance of information and awareness in society about the benefits and necessity of protecting against the flu by accessing vaccination for all those included in the target groups of the institutional vaccination strategy in Andalusia. I also believe that greater involvement is needed from the mentioned professional group, as the coverage rates in this area are much lower than desirable, and there is a moral demand that should be considered an ethical obligation for professionals to get vaccinated as a commitment to their patients and the population assigned to their quotas.

The aging of the population brings about the process of immunosenescence, a weakening of the immune system and a reduced capacity to respond to infections. To address this reality, enhanced flu vaccines have been developed that feature increased immunogenicity, to provide better protection in this group of older population and help prevent hospitalizations and serious complications.

In fact, some autonomous communities have implemented very effective strategies that have achieved high vaccination rates among the elderly. These examples show that, with approachable communication campaigns and easy access to the vaccine, it is possible to better protect those who need it most. Strengthening vaccination in those over 60 years old with the best tools available means betting on a healthier, more supportive, and prepared society.

Flu vaccination campaigns, if managed correctly, can help prevent mortality and morbidity especially in the groups at highest risk of complications. People over 65 years old hospitalized for respiratory or cardiovascular problems associated with the flu in Spain particularly suffer in terms of hospitalizations and mortality rates. And from the standpoint of managing the flu epidemic, prevention through vaccination of priority groups can help reduce the healthcare burden that comes with the significant number of cases in the fall and winter seasons.

Finally, the use of masks during the flu epidemic season should be mandatory for healthcare and social health sector professionals throughout their working hours, and also for patients and family members visiting any healthcare or social health service indoors. Other measures like hand washing are always advisable; even more so during epidemic periods.