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Source: Cairo – Reem El Shishtawy
On Thursday, the World Health Organization reviewed some recommendations for getting the flu vaccine this year in conjunction with the spread of the Corona pandemic around the world, and the extent of the impact of getting a flu shot with the Covid vaccine. -19 if its effectiveness is proven.
The World Health Organization, in a statement obtained by Al-Arabiya.net, recommended that with the continuation of the Covid-19 pandemic and fears that influenza infection could increase the burden on health systems, grant the top priority to healthcare workers and the elderly. By getting the flu vaccine this year, especially in places where specific amounts of the vaccine are available.
Healthcare workers are at high risk of contracting the disease through regular contact with patients, and the flu vaccine will help minimize the number of absenteeism due to influenza infection and reduce the incidence of disruptions in force. labor.
The organization noted that the elderly are at a much higher risk of severe illness and death from influenza compared to the young, so the vaccine will help reduce risks for this group of the population. But if the available amounts of flu vaccine still allow others to get vaccinated, then people with underlying health problems, pregnant women, and children in no particular order should be prioritized.
Expressive
The organization added that the influenza vaccine is the best tool we have to prevent influenza and reduce the risk of serious complications to death, and the effectiveness of the vaccine can vary from year to year, depending on the types of viruses. circulating influenza and its compliance with the vaccine.
The effectiveness of the vaccine also depends on the health status and age of the person who received the vaccine, as well as the time that has elapsed since the vaccination, and on average the vaccine protects against approximately 60% of infections in healthy adults, between ages 18 and 64. And flu vaccines become effective about 14 days after vaccination.
The organization explained that people should be vaccinated every year against influenza viruses because they change constantly and different strains can spread each year and, in addition, people’s immunity against influenza decreases over time, so the Seasonal flu vaccines are updated to deal with the most widespread strains. It is common for people who receive these vaccines to acquire the highest possible immunity against these strains.
The organization confirmed that seasonal flu vaccines are safe and have been used for more than 50 years, still administered to millions of people, and have a good safety record, and national drug regulatory authorities examine each vaccine annually. against influenza, carefully before authorizing it. Systems also exist to monitor any reports of adverse events after influenza vaccination and to investigate the reports.
Expressive
Flu Vaccine Does Not Lower Immunity to COVID-19
The organization indicated that the purpose of any vaccine is to train the immune system on how to respond if it encounters the actual disease in the future, and this training does not affect the immune system against other diseases, but rather increases its strength to face the disease. objective, and this immunity can last for a short period or several years. Depending on the type of disease and the type of vaccine, the influenza vaccine is considered good for one year, after which immunity to the disease decreases.
Flu Vaccine Does Not Prevent Covid-19 Infection
Influenza and Covid-19 are two different diseases, but because both diseases are respiratory and can affect the health of severely infected people, influenza vaccination can reduce its effect in a person who may already have the disease. Covid-19 disease. It is better for patients and healthcare systems to deal with one respiratory illness rather than two.
The information currently available indicates that the person receiving the influenza vaccine should be able to get the Covid-19 vaccine when this vaccine is approved, and there are now many Covid-19 vaccines in clinical trials around the world, with the goal of demonstrating If they are Vaccines are effective and safe against Covid-19, and in the event that any of these vaccines are approved, not everyone will be able to obtain this new Covid vaccine until several months have passed. In the meantime, getting a flu shot is the best way to reduce the chance of developing serious respiratory illness on the same breath. The period during which the Covid-19 virus and influenza viruses are most common
The organization emphasizes that there are no known medical contraindications to vaccinating people with Covid-19, and the World Health Organization warns high-risk groups that they should take the influenza vaccine during the Covid-19 pandemic to reduce the possibility of developing serious respiratory diseases, due to viruses that spread simultaneously during a season. Influenza and reduce the burden on the health system.
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