[ad_1]
The European Statistical Office (Eurostat) on Tuesday published data according to which the lowest European Union vaccination rate against influenza among people aged 65 and over was recorded in 2018 in Latvia, Estonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania and Romania, compared to an average of about 41% in the European Union.
In 2018, there are significant differences in the flu vaccination rate among the 23 EU Member States for which data are available: almost seven out of ten people aged 65 years and over (69%) were vaccinated in Ireland, and slightly lower rates were recorded in the Netherlands (63%), Portugal (61%, 2017 data) and Belgium (59%).
The lowest influenza vaccination rates were recorded in 2018 in Latvia (7.7%), Estonia (10.2%), Slovakia (12.5%), Slovenia (12.9%), Lithuania (14, 8%). %) and Romania (20.8%).
Winter is the time when many people get the flu. For some, it is an unpleasant experience that lasts a week or two. For other people, such as those 65 and older or those with chronic illnesses, the effects can be much more severe. Vaccination against influenza is one of the most effective ways to obtain protection against the virus, and in the EU Member States there are several policies to make vaccines more accessible to the public.
The proportion of the EU population aged 65 and over who are vaccinated against influenza is estimated to have decreased from 50% in 2011 to 41% in 2018, Agerpres reports.
The vaccination campaign has started in Romania
As of September 15 or October 1, the vaccination campaign will begin in the country.
“On September 9 we have the purchase of flu vaccines and after September 15, let’s say October 1, we should have the start of this, I know, flu vaccination season. Vaccinate people at risk, children, those who work in institutions directly with people, such as in education, such as hospitals.
We talked a lot this summer about the presence of this vaccine and the flu shot. (…) We have this intention at the moment, and from the second half of September, surely at the beginning of October, we will also have these vaccines, said Nelu Tătaru, Minister of Health.
