Member organizations ciic influenza flu prevention

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Influenza, the circular with the strona główna recommendations for the 2021-2022 season www
person being vaccinated

On 8 April, the Ministry of Health issued the Influenza Prevention and Control Circular: recommendations for the 2021-2022 season, drawn up by the General Directorate of Health Prevention, in agreement with the Higher Institute of Health. After being submitted to the Interregional Coordination of Prevention, the circular was given a favorable opinion on 6 April by the Superior Health Council.

Vaccination is the most effective influenza prevention strategy

Given the current epidemiological situation relating to the circulation of SARS-CoV-2, the document recommends anticipating the conduct of flu vaccination campaigns, starting from the beginning of October and, in any case, offering the vaccination to eligible subjects, at any time of the flu season, even if they show up late for vaccination.

As a COVID-19 pandemic situation persists, the document recommends influenza vaccination in the 6 months – 6 years age group, also with the aim of reducing the circulation of the influenza virus among adults and the elderly.

Vaccination is the most effective influenza prevention strategyFurthermore, in order to facilitate the differential diagnosis in age groups at higher risk of serious illness, influenza vaccination is strongly recommended and can be offered free of charge in the 60-64 age group.

Vaccination is also strongly recommended for health and social-health professions, who work in contact with patients, and for the elderly institutionalized in residential or long-term care facilities.

The circular recommends the activation of information/education campaigns for the population and health professionals involved in the implementation of vaccination strategies.

Categories for which vaccination is recommended

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Categories for which vaccination is recommendedIn the annual Circular “Prevention and control of influenza: recommendations for the 2022-2023 season” (pdf 455 kb), it is indicated that influenza vaccination is recommended for all subjects from 6 months of age who have no contraindications to the vaccine .

In children less than 6 months of age, the influenza vaccine is not sufficiently immunogenic and therefore does not confer sufficient protection. Therefore, immunization with currently available influenza vaccines is not licensed for use or recommended for infants younger than 6 months.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended reconsidering the prioritization of risk groups for influenza vaccination during the COVID19 pandemic.

Healthcare professionals

WHO’s proposed interim prioritization shift for high-risk groups is intended only to ensure optimal influenza control during the COVID-19 pandemic and is not expected to negatively impact influenza vaccination programs and group coverage existing targets, which are based on national policies and the epidemiological situation for both influenza and COVID-19. Risk groups with highest priority:

  • elderly adults
  • pregnant women
  • people with underlying diseases
  • children

Healthcare professionalsList of categories for which seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended and actively offered free of chargePeople at high risk of flu-related complications or hospitalizations:Women who are pregnant and in the “postpartum” period at the beginning of the epidemic season.

People aged 6 months to 65 years with medical conditions that increase the risk of complications from influenza:chronic diseases of the respiratory system (including severe asthma, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD);

Diseases of the cardiovascular system

Including congenital and acquired heart disease;diabetes mellitus and other metabolic diseases (including the obese with a BMI body mass index >30);chronic renal/adrenal insufficiency; e) diseases of the hematopoietic organs and hemoglobinopathies;

Tumors and undergoing chemotherapy treatment;congenital or acquired diseases involving deficient antibody production, drug-induced or HIV-induced immunosuppression;chronic inflammatory diseases and intestinal malabsorption syndromes;pathologies for which major surgical interventions are planned;

Pathologies associated with an increased risk of aspiration of respiratory secretions (e.g. neuromuscular diseases);chronic liver disease.Individuals 65 years of age or olderChildren and adolescents on long-term treatment with acetylsalicylic acid, at risk of Reye’s syndrome in case of flu infection.

Individuals of any age admitted to long-term care facilitiesRelatives and contacts (adults and children) of subjects at high risk of complications (regardless of whether the subject at risk has been vaccinated or not).

  1. Subjects assigned to public services of primary collective interest and categories of workers:
  2. Doctors and health care personnel in facilities who, through their activities, are able to transmit the flu to those at high risk of flu complications.

Police forceFire fightersOther socially useful categories that could benefit from vaccination, for reasons linked to the performance of their work; in this regard, vaccination is recommended and is the faculty of the Regions/PP.

AA. define the principles and methods of the offer to these categoriesFinally, the active and free offer of flu vaccination by employers to workers who are particularly exposed due to their activity and in order to contain negative effects on productivity is a widespread international practice.