Flu: experts advise on when to get vaccinated and who should do so
Prevention against flu should begin before the cold weather sets in, with particular attention paid to children, the elderly and people with chronic conditions.
Autumn is the season for respiratory viruses and flu. And, as every year, the advice remains the same: get vaccinated. Because, yes, it’s true, the temperatures are still mild, but that doesn’t mean prevention can be put off. As the ‘VirusRespiratori’ project – dedicated to raising awareness of respiratory tract infections and the importance of vaccination – points out, vaccination should be scheduled according to the seasonal calendar, ‘so that you are prepared when the virus really starts to circulate’.
At present, there are many factors of uncertainty that will determine the course of the winter season, including weather conditions and the simultaneous circulation of different respiratory viruses. Meanwhile, flu-like illnesses are already circulating. “Experience teaches us that the intensity and timing of the season can change rapidly. That is why the message is simple: let’s not wait for the cold weather or a rise in cases to protect ourselves,” emphasised Fabrizio Pregliasco, virologist and scientific director of the VirusRespiratori Observatory.
Whilst the vaccination programme has already begun in Lombardy, Piedmont, Tuscany and Liguria, the aim in the other regions is to start no later than the first half of the month.
Who needs the vaccine most
Children, the elderly, vulnerable people and those with chronic illnesses: these are the groups most at risk from respiratory viruses and flu, which is why prevention is of the utmost importance.
For those living with a chronic respiratory condition, a viral infection can trigger a flare-up, which can affect their quality of life. In the most serious cases, it may even be necessary to go to hospital, or there may be a risk of death. A very similar situation applies to older people, those who are frail or those with chronic conditions: for them, too, a simple bout of flu can lead to complications and a much longer recovery time.
