The lack of social distancing measures, combined with falling temperatures and the concentration of citizens in confined spaces, heighten concerns about the consequences of coexistence coronaviruswho does not leave us fluwho seems to be coming back hotter?

In distant Australia, there was an outbreak of influenza due to a weakened immune system. However, in Greece, due to the lack of protective measures and due to the tourist season, the flu first appeared in the summer in our country – according to EODIFrom July 7 to August 31, 174 cases were recorded.

“There is a surge in influenza cases and we are consulting with companies so that vaccines arrive so that vaccination can begin,” the health minister said in a TV interview yesterday. Thanos Pleuriswho expressed concern about the pressure that winter could put on YOU from cases of influenza and coronavirus that will coexist. The hope of a vaccine that would cover both the flu and the coronavirus has disappeared for the moment, so the body will be protected by two separate vaccines, which, however, can be administered even on the same day – the order does not matter.

From July 7 to August 31, 174 cases of influenza were registered.

OUR “K” expressed some concerns to Ghica Majorchiniprofessor of epidemiology at the University of Athens and member of the expert committee, Dr. Maria Tsolia, Professor of the Department of Pediatrics and Children’s Infectious Diseases, Director of the 2nd Pediatric Clinic of the VKPA at the Children’s Hospital. and A. Kyriakou”, a member of the expert committee and the National Committee for Vaccination, and in Sofia Purikipulmonologist-resuscitator of ICU “Sotiria”.

Eight critical questions

“Usually, the vaccine arrives in September, but we always advise you to do it not earlier, but from mid-October,” Ms. Zolia replies. In Australia, the virus appeared earlier, so there are fears that the outbreak could occur earlier here as well. For this reason, according to Ms. Purikis, “for older and vulnerable people, it may make sense to do this in September, and in December, go to the second dose.”

The flu vaccine provides relatively low protection, 50-60%, rarely reaching 80%. The protection covers one season, i.e. from October to May. The influenza virus mutates very quickly. However, as Mr. Maiorkinis explains, “Influenza vaccination can, over time, create cross-immunity as our immune system learns from all the stimuli it is exposed to.” In addition, protection may last longer “if the strains are the same for two years in a row,” Ms Zolia notes.

“Australia was dominated by the H3N2 strain, which has a high incidence,” says Mr Majorkinis. “H1N1 was detected at a slower rate.” However, “scientists believe that more than 2,000 samples whose genome has been identified in Australia are 95% identical to vaccine samples.” Well, at least theoretically, these patients could be covered by the vaccine.” As Ms Purikis adds, “There were over 200,000 cases in Australia, of which 6% required intensive care.”

There are many factors that have contributed to the increase in influenza: the decline in body defenses after two years of social distancing measures, the sudden massive displacement of the population due to tourism, and overcrowding without protection in many resorts.

The influenza vaccination guidance, which has not changed, applies to older people, people who are immunocompromised, and people with underlying medical conditions. “WHO recommends doing this for children under 5 years old,” notes Ms Zolia. “Personally, I think it makes sense for kids under 2.5 who might find it difficult.” In European countries, it is not provided for school age. Of course, there are countries where this is done, for example, the UK. “In these cases, the philosophy is that children play an important role in the transmission of influenza in society, more so than in the transmission of the coronavirus.”

“The load on the body is very high, because you have to fight two enemies that equally affect the respiratory system, heart and kidneys,” says Sofia Puriki.

However, many private practitioners encourage their patients to get vaccinated. However, in a healthy body, the flu shot has little to offer. “However, everyone decides individually, in consultation with their doctor,” Ms Puriki replies.

There are no studies linking the two situations described above. “However, someone who has recently been ill with COVID-19 has a weakened immune system, so it is really possible to get sick with the flu or some other virus,” Ms Puriki replies.

These are viral infections and it is possible that the symptoms overlap. “Influenza does not often cause bad breath and taste disturbance, which are caused by viruses and coronavirus, both have a runny nose, gastrointestinal problems are mainly due to coronavirus,” Ms Zolia says revealingly. Correctly, according to doctors, with “blurred” symptoms, conduct diagnostic tests for influenza and coronavirus. “The treatment that will be given is different in each case,” Ms Puriki notes. “It is also important to know what we are suffering from, both to protect public health and our personal history.”

“The burden on the body is very high, because you have to fight two enemies that equally affect the respiratory system, heart and kidneys,” says Ms. Puriki. “We are concerned about complications, the young man can go “in the leg”, but in the end it caused him some kind of myocarditis.”

The order in which vaccines are given (COVID-19 and influenza) does not matter. In fact, they can be done on the same day, on the left and right hand, or with a gap in time. “The hope we had for an improved vaccine that would protect both viruses does not appear to have materialized,” Ms Puriki said.