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Pharmacists in both Basel have been getting vaccinated against seasonal flu since October 1. Next winter will be a challenge, according to a message from the pharmacy associations of both Basel. On the one hand, because it is becoming clear that the coronavirus will spread more strongly in the cold season and, on the other hand, because the health system will also be affected by a strong flu epidemic.
The problem is that the symptoms of flu and Covid 19 disease are quite similar at first, such as fever, cough and headache. Someone with the flu will likely be tested for corona, which will put additional pressure on hospitals. This scenario can be reduced with a flu vaccine.
Vaccination recommendation for risk groups and contact persons
Therefore, it is particularly important this winter to get vaccinated against seasonal flu, emphasizes Lydia Isler-Christ, president of the Association of Pharmacists of the City of Basel. “It would be desirable in itself if as many people as possible were vaccinated. The positive effects of this can be clearly seen in countries with a higher vaccination rate, ”Isler-Christ told Telebasel.
The vaccination recommendation of the Federal Office of Public Health applies to people at risk and to all people who are in regular contact with people at risk, regardless of whether they are family or work.
Ordered about a third more vaccination doses
“Those who want to be vaccinated should also be able to do so, regardless of whether or not they belong to the risk group,” emphasizes Isler-Christ. “For this winter we expect a great demand for vaccination against influenza,” he explains. To ensure that everyone who wants to get vaccinated gets their dose, the two Basles ordered about a third more vaccine doses than in previous years in the spring.
It looks different nationally, writes BAG at the request of Telebasel. Across Switzerland, roughly the same number of vaccine doses were ordered as in 2019, that is, around 2.1 million doses. But because the Federal Office is also taking on a higher demand, it ordered another 600,000 doses of vaccines on its own. These can be obtained from vaccination institutions.
This year, vaccination is not only about alleviating the burden on the health system, but also generally about supporting others, emphasizes pharmacist Isler-Christ: “Vaccination is always an act of solidarity, because not all people at risk who are infected with the flu If you have to fight especially, you can also get vaccinated. It is known, for example, that the vaccine works worse in older people than in younger people ”.
