Students boxed in masks and self-tests ahead of the new school year with an “open” call on Monday, September 12th. The decision of the two joint ministries to relax the measures was received with enthusiasm by the children, but many doctors express reservations. “The truth is that a large percentage of children have already been ill, but you have to keep in mind that immunity has a “shelf life”, that is, those who get sick in the spring or early summer, it is very easy to get infected again now if they find themselves in the environment. with a high viral load,” says Kostas Daloukas, pediatrician and president of the Association of Independent Pediatricians, K.

Minors generally endure the disease easily, as a result of which both they and their parents partially “debunk” the coronavirus. “However, relapse is harmful and should be avoided,” he notes. The goal is “to have as few cases as possible for public health reasons, and also because as long as the disease persists, there is always the possibility of new mutations.” He recommends for this year, which he describes as a “big test”, that students wear masks indoors.

“It looks like this winter will be very different from last year as we expect a major outbreak of respiratory viruses and especially influenza.” The children’s immune systems “worsened” and antibodies decreased due to prolonged social distancing, making them more vulnerable. “This was already visible in the summer, as in August we had many cases of respiratory viruses such as bronchiolitis, as well as patients who got sick with influenza and A1 influenza, which we never had in August.”

The ominous predictions are also supported by the scientific data we have from Australia, where the flu has resurfaced. “We expect this to happen here as well,” emphasizes Mr. Daloukas, who recommends flu vaccination this year, “although the vaccine, unfortunately, does not cover all strains, but only 40% -60% of them.” .

“This winter will be very different from last year as we expect a major outbreak of respiratory viruses and especially influenza.”

It reminds parents of the benefits of all vaccines. “They shield the body so that when a child gets sick, he has mild symptoms,” he emphasizes, “so those who have not vaccinated their children against the coronavirus, logically, that they have been ill, should hurry up and do it now.”

Other vaccines are also a necessary “weapon”, especially for the upper respiratory tract. “Before, because the children were often sick, we would delay vaccination, as a result of which we would leave the vaccine or forget about some doses.” It is required that there are no concomitant diseases in winter, that is, that the child does not become infected with the coronavirus at the same time as another virus.

Vigilance is not only about protecting schoolchildren, as the eyes of doctors are directed both at preschool children, who are naturally more sensitive, and at the elderly. “Those who have a baby, newborn or grandparents at home should be careful this year,” he concludes. “The epidemiological news is reassuring, but it’s important to take small and confident steps,” says Mr. Daloukas, “like “save your clothes to have half of them, as the old people used to say.”