In the coming flu season, the elderly in particular may have a hard time, and the flu shot will probably be less effective than usual. That warning comes from the European Center for the Control of Infectious Diseases ECDC.
Flu figures are still low in most of the EU, the ECDC writes. But the most common type of virus is A(H3N2), a variant that particularly affects the elderly and that does not care much about the flu shot. “The early detection of the A(H3N2) subtype is an indication that the upcoming flu season may be tough,” said the head of the ECDC’s flu program.
Combined with the corona pandemic, this can have serious consequences for the elderly and people with problems with their immune system. In addition, according to the ECDC, it could put extra pressure on already overburdened hospitals.
Lockdown was effective
Last autumn and last winter, when lockdown measures were in place in many countries, there was hardly any flu. Medics concluded that the basic rules against corona, such as keeping your distance and frequent hand washing, were effective against the spread of the flu virus. In nursing and care homes and hospitals, this should no longer be abandoned, advises the ECDC. The center also advises all healthcare staff to be vaccinated against corona and flu.
Last week, 17 out of 100,000 people in the Netherlands reported to their GP with flu symptoms, which is comparable to previous seasons, according to RIVM. In 7 percent of the cases, the A(H3N2) type was involved. Other types of flu were more common.
About 20 percent of the population is infected with the flu virus every year; of them, one in four actually gets sick. The elderly, pregnant women and the chronically ill are at risk of complications from the flu.
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