ECDC recommends increasing flu and Covid-19 vaccinations among people at risk ahead of winter

He European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) recommends increasing influenza and Covid-19 vaccination coverage for risk groups in the European Union and European Area (EU/EEA) before the winter season.

Seasonal influenza vaccination rates among people aged 65 years and older in the 2023-2024 season. varied significantly between countries. from 12 to 78%and in only two countries did vaccination coverage in this age group exceed 75%. This underscores the need for more targeted vaccination efforts.

While COVID-19 vaccination rates vary further between September 2023 and July 2024, from 0.02 to 66.1%however, the average coverage among people aged 60 and over is only 14%.

“With so few countries far from achieving adequate levels of protection for target groups, it is critical to increase vaccinations as we enter the winter season.”

“Vaccination is one of the most effective measures we have to protect the most vulnerable members of society from serious illness, hospitalization and death. With so few countries far from achieving adequate levels of protection for target groups, it is critical to increase vaccinations as we enter the winter season,” said Pamela Rendi-Wagner, ECDC Director.

The data comes from a study funded by the ECDC and carried out within the framework of the European New Integrated Vaccine Collaboration (VENICE) project. Of the 30 EU/EEA countries invited to participate in the survey, 29 completed the questionnaire (97% response rate). In the case of a country that did not respond to the survey, a desk review of its national public health agency website was conducted to generate appropriate recommendations.

With the onset of the winter season, They expect seasonal flu to co-circulaterespiratory syncytial virus (RSV), SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses, which “will place significant pressure on health systems and will disproportionately affect people at high risk, such as the elderly and people with weakened immune systems and underlying medical conditions.” . .

They also reiterate the importance of furloughs for health care workers, “given their exposure to pathogens, their interactions with vulnerable patients, and preventing workforce shortages.”

ECDC recommends staying home if you have symptoms of a respiratory virus, practicing respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette, washing your hands frequently and ventilating your premises.

Finally, ECDC recommends staying home if symptoms of a respiratory virus appear, practicing respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette, washing hands frequently, and ventilating rooms. Additionally, if symptoms occur, you may want to consider wearing a mask in crowded places or around vulnerable people.

CURRENT RESPIRATORY VIRUS SITUATION IN THE EU/EEA

Data for the last week (14-20 October) collected by ECDC shows that the number of patients visiting primary health care facilities and hospitals for respiratory illnesses remains at the expected level for this time of year. Since peaking in July, COVID-19 activity in the EU and EEA has been on a downward trend, even in most countries that experienced subsequent epidemics in the summer.

People aged 65 years and older continue to represent the largest age group at risk of hospitalization and serious consequences due to COVID-19. Influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) continue to circulate at very low levels. However, based on data from previous seasons, “countries should be prepared for increased RSV activity in the coming weeks,” he says.

If you look at WHO European data, you can see that incidence rates of influenza-like illnesses are above baseline values ​​in one country (Kazakhstan), and rates of acute respiratory infections are increased in two countries (Estonia and Germany).