Flu Epidemic Could โBe More Severeโ This Season, Experts Warn
Munich, Germany – A new influenzaโ subgroup โคcirculating in Europe is prompting health officials toโ urge increased vaccinationโค rates aheadโค of a potentially โsevere flu season. while not more hazardous โฃthan previous strains,โค the emerging subgroup could lead to a higher number of infections, โขexperts say.
Theโ warning comes asโฃ vaccination rates remain โlow among vulnerable populations. According โคto data โfrom the Robert โคKoch Institute, only around 29 percent โฃof people aged 60 and over in Bavaria were vaccinated against the flu last season. โฃThe Standing Vaccination Commission recommends annual flu vaccination, particularly for those 60 andโค older,โ individuals with chronic illnesses, pregnant women, and residents of senior and nursing homes. Those with frequent contact with others, such as healthcare workers, are also stronglyโ advised to get vaccinated.
“We are currently observing the spread of โa new influenza subgroup inโ Europe,” stated Gerlach. “That’s โฃwhy the flu epidemic could be more โsevere this season.” Experts anticipate the vaccine will still offer protection against serious illness,despite evidence suggesting the new subgroup is not a perfect match for this year’s vaccine strain. โ
As of December 1st, Bavaria’s State Office for health and Food Safety has recorded 1,951 flu cases since the season began on September 29th, compared to 74,034 infections throughout the entirety of the previous flu season. The peak of the flu wave is typically expected โขbetween the end of January and theโฃ end โof February.
Individuals are โencouraged to “get advice from the pharmacy or your โfamilyโ doctor” โregarding vaccination,according toโข Gerlach. New mRNA flu vaccines, which are reportedly superiorโฃ to previousโ formulations, โฃareโค now available.