Flu, when is the peak and when to get the flu (and Covid) vaccine

The flu peak is expected around Christmas, but the recommendation is to get vaccinated already now, and preferably to do so with the double administration in a single session of the two vaccines, the one against the new seasonal virus and the one against Covid. This is the invitation that doctors are renewing in October, the month of the start in Italy of the 24-25 flu campaign - in some regions already started and in others scheduled from the next few days - organised in parallel with the anti-Covid one. The aim is to protect the population by reducing the risk of illness, hospitalisations and deaths related to influenza, as well as limiting the transmission of the virus to those most vulnerable in a flu season that is expected to be 'intense'.

In the past year, almost 15 million people have been infected with flu-like syndromes, as indicated by data from the RespiVirNet surveillance of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità. Vaccination is the 'safest and most effective method of preventing influenza or its more serious symptoms,' explains Roberta Siliquini, president of the Italian Society of Hygiene (Siti), pointing out that 'in addition to personal protection, it helps reduce pressure on emergency rooms and hospital wards, lowering healthcare costs and improving productivity by reducing school and work absenteeism'.

The National Plan for Vaccine Prevention aims at 75% coverage among at-risk groups, with an optimal target of 95%. This year, eight influenza vaccines have been authorised by Aifa, and vaccination is free for the over-60s, pregnant and post-partum women, children between 6 months and 6 years of age, people suffering from chronic diseases, people hospitalised in RSAs, and family members of people at high risk of complications.

The anti-Covid campaign is also underway, with new vaccines adapted to the Jn.1 variant (dominant at this time), which can be administered at the same time as the flu vaccine, simplifying access to vaccinations and increasing the overall protection of the population.

"The flu peak is expected around Christmas. Every year, generally, it occurs between the end of December and the first days of January,' says Elisabetta Alti, director of general medicine at the Asl Toscana centro and vice-president of the Order of Physicians of Florence, 'and it is therefore advisable to get vaccinated now because we give our immune system the chance to build up its defences, so that we are protected when the full spread of the flu virus and Covid arrives. Moreover, according to Alti, the double vaccination, anti-influenza and anti-Covid, 'is worthwhile' because 'in a single day we receive safe and effective protection for two viruses that can cause big problems in the months to come, our immune system is helped to react, at the same time, against these two diseases'.