Flu vaccines are now available, autumn is coming, so it's a good idea to protect yourself against infection," Chief Sanitary Inspector Dr. Pawel Grzesiowski said at a press conference on Tuesday (Oct. 1). - I would like this kind of thinking to function in the minds of Poles.
This is the best time to get a flu vaccination
Published Oct. 1, 2024 14:05
fot. Piotr Wójcik
As the head of the GIS stressed, special attention should now be paid to those who are at risk of the greatest health problems due to influenza.
- Anyone can get vaccinated. There are no restrictions, as long as the doctor or qualifying nurse does not find any contraindications. However, we would like to particularly encourage people from the so-called risk groups. These are people over the age of 50. If someone is burdened with a chronic disease, he or she falls into these groups regardless of age," explained Dr. Pawel Grzesiowski.
In vaccination, the goal is not only to avoid infection with the influenza virus or a severe course of the disease, but also the occurrence of post-influenza complications.
- The most serious of these is bacterial pneumonia, mainly pneumococcal, which not infrequently ends in dangerous health problems and, in some cases, even the death of the patient, the GIS chief stressed.
Experts believe that right now, when the infectious season has not yet begun, is the best time to protect against the virus. Doctors also encourage simultaneous vaccination with several vaccines. The injections are administered in two or more distant places on the body.
- It is possible to administer very many different vaccines on the same day. Such a procedure is safe and effective. Moreover, such coadministration increases the acceptance of vaccination among patients and reduces the administrative and logistical burden," stressed Prof. Aneta Nitsch-Osuch, a member of the Scientific Council of the National Program for Combating Infectious Diseases.
It is worth remembering that for several years now nurses have been able to qualify for influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations, and since last year also to qualify children for other vaccinations.
- It is hoped that this will increase accessibility for patients to vaccination visits. As a result, more patients will be vaccinated and protected. Nurses are also involved in the education process - encouraging patients to take advantage of vaccinations," pointed out Dr. Karolina Prasek, director of the Nursing and Obstetrics Development Department at Medicover.
