Getting a flu shot is as beneficial as quitting smoking, exercising, or eating right.

Respiratory diseases such as influenza, Covid-19 and pneumococcus caused 46,807 deaths in Spain last year, but many of the cases could have been prevented or reduced in severity through vaccination, which can be as beneficial as quitting smoking , exercise and proper nutrition.

“The best plan for this winter. Get vaccinated” is the motto chosen by the Spanish Association of Vaccinologists (AEV) to encourage target groups to be immunized against respiratory viruses and thereby increase last year’s coverage, which is still falling short of targets. Suitability noted by the Ministry of Health.

The flu rate among people over 64 reached 66.6% last year, far from the 75% expected; in children from 5 to 59 months it decreased to 31.16%.

The influenza virus alone causes 28,000 hospitalizations in Spain every year. In children under 5 years of age, it causes more than 58,000 primary care visits, 4,239 hospitalizations, and 8 deaths. Influenza activity was intense during the 2023-2024 season, with people over 60 years of age being hit hardest.

“Getting a flu vaccine may be as beneficial for protecting our cardiovascular health as quitting smoking,” AEV secretary Gloria Mirada Masip said in a note that included a study that concluded that patients with high blood pressure reduces the risk of death from all causes by up to 18%.

Last year, respiratory diseases became the most common cause of death in Spain, with a total of 46,807 deaths; In the 2019-2020 season. influenza serum prevented 37% of deaths associated with the disease.

Meanwhile, deaths from Covid-19 fell by 75.1% in 2023, so over-60s and people at risk of the disease are still recommended to get vaccinated, as those who don’t have a much higher risk of becoming seriously ill. sick.

Regarding pneumococcus, as part of this campaign AEV is also urging people over 60-65 years of age to reconsider their vaccination status, as 41% of pneumonia acquired in adults may require hospitalization.

What’s new is that the association has included health workers in its campaign, whose coverage last year was only 43.6%.

“Health care workers play a fundamental role in vaccinating our patients. Patients’ greatest adherence to vaccination is determined by the recommendation of their doctor or nurse. Besides, if we ask them to get vaccinated, why not vaccinate ourselves?” We must lead by example,” concluded Fernandez-Prada.