The last two pandemic years have brought a great deal of excitement about COVID-19 vaccination. What seems to be missing from the flurry of information in this recent period is a clear message about the need to protect against influenza.
Table of contents:
- Introduction
- The epidemiological situation in Poland
- Is influenza dangerous?
- Financing of vaccination in Poland
- Course of vaccination campaign
- Summary
Introduction
The last two pandemic years have brought a great deal of excitement about COVID-19 vaccination. In the flurry of information during this recent period, there seems to be a lack of clear messages about the need for protection against influenza. Unfortunately, the question is increasingly being asked whether, since we have reduced social contact, live under a sanitary regime, and walk around in masks covering our faces, there is a need to recommend flu vaccination. These doubts were also exacerbated by unfounded fears about the safety and efficacy of the preparations used (1).
The epidemiological situation in Poland
Data from the National Institute of Public Health indicate a daily incidence of around 30-40 persons per 100 000 (2). The current year's data do not seem to differ significantly from the 2018/2019 and 2019/2022 seasons, i.e. even before the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic. Due to the introduction of sanitary restrictions, the last two years have seen a slight improvement in incidence. However, the relaxation of restrictions and the very low percentage of influenza vaccination in Poland (about 4%) may result in a dynamic increase in the number of infections (3).
Is influenza dangerous?
Overcoming influenza for a healthy person is usually not associated with serious consequences. However, it should be borne in mind that complications of influenza include, but are not limited to, pneumonia (bacterial, coexisting with COVID-19) leading to acute respiratory failure, carditis and neurological complications (including demyelinating syndromes) (4). In young and unencumbered individuals, the incidence of severe complications that require hospitalisation fluctuates around 1 per 10 000 infections (5). Here, it is important to realise the relationship between the prevalence of infection and potential complications. The absolute number of diseases with severe complications can therefore reach several hundred previously young and healthy people per year. In older patients, young children or those burdened with multimorbidity, complications are several times or even tens of times more frequent (5). In addition, a group of people who are at risk of more frequent infections and a more severe course are pregnant women.
Vaccination in Poland. photo: panthermedia
Financing of vaccination in Poland
The importance of the problem is recognised by the National Health Fund, which finances the cost of qualifying and administering the vaccine to anyone willing to do so. In addition, in risk groups, the purchase of the vaccine is subject to 50% reimbursement (children and adolescents up to 18 years of age, adults 18-65 years of age in risk groups and healthy persons 65-75 years of age) or full reimbursement (pregnant women, seniors >75 years of age) (6). Pregnant women can be vaccinated throughout pregnancy with inactivated vaccines, preferentially in the 2nd or 3rd trimester of pregnancy (7).
Course of vaccination
It is optimal to be vaccinated before the peak influenza season, i.e. between September and December. The influenza vaccine can be taken at any interval after COVID-19 vaccination. Available scientific data indicate the safety and high efficacy of simultaneous administration of both vaccines (8). This approach is currently also recommended in Poland (9). Influenza vaccines are considered to have a favourable safety profile. Adverse effects mainly include reactions at the site of administration (pain, swelling, redness, itching), and sometimes systemic symptoms (fever, headache, malaise) also occur. The effectiveness of vaccination is not absolute due to the high variability of the influenza virus. Nevertheless, they make it possible to reduce the frequency of laboratory-confirmed infections by 44-67% in adults and 29-87% in children, depending on the vaccine used.
Summary
Influenza during the COVID-19 pandemic did not disappear. Complications of influenza can lead to severe organ damage and death. Given the high safety and satisfactory efficacy of available influenza vaccines, their use should not be overlooked. First and foremost in high-risk groups and preferentially in the general population.