Vaccination remains the most effective means of adequately protecting the elderly and vulnerable groups against the influenza virus, two respected specialists stressed on Thursday as the flu season got underway.
"It is important for as many elderly people and people from vulnerable groups as possible, as well as their families, to get vaccinated in good time,” Marc Van Ranst, professor of virology and epidemiology at the Catholic University of Leuven and Dr Aurore Girard, vice-president of the general practitioners’ association Société scientifique de médecine générale (SSMG), stressed on Thursday.
Last winter, the flu season started earlier than usual and peaked at the end of 2022, causing high mortality between early December and mid-January. Although this seasonal flu was considered moderate, it was in fact an epidemic. During this period, fewer than 60% of Belgians over the age of 65 were vaccinated against flu.
According to the latest data provided by the Sciensano public health institute, the number of cases of influenza in Belgium is currently lower than in the past five seasons.
“This is certainly due to the warm, sunny weather of recent weeks," said Marc Van Ranst. However, he cautioned that the number of cases was likely to rise again soon.
"We can also see that GPs’ workload is increasing,” he added.
Covid-19 cases rose in August and early September “but other respiratory infections have increased more sharply in recent weeks,” noted the KU Leuven professor.
With the return of autumn weather, the number of flu cases is likely to continue rising, hence the need to raise awareness of the importance of vaccination to avoid complications from the virus.
Dr Girard highlighted the consequences of the virus for people at risk, noting that, it can lead to a worsening of ‘frailty’ in affected persons.
For example, an elderly person who until now has lived in perfect autonomy may experience a long convalescence and subsequently lose that autonomy. "There are also risks of superinfection, complications and functional decline,” Dr. Girard explained.
At-risk groups include people aged over 65, pregnant women in their third to ninth month during the flu season, people in institutions, children undergoing chronic treatment, anyone suffering from a chronic illness, healthcare workers and those living in the same household as a person at risk.
Dr Girard also recalled that it is still possible to be vaccinated against both influenza and Covid-19.
“You do not have to choose. Both are important for at-risk groups,” added Marc Van Ranst.
This year, the vaccine can be administered by both GPs and pharmacists. Its administration in pharmacies was delayed by a few days following a request from Vlaams Belang to the House Health Committee.
Dr Girard said she was not opposed to this measure: “There is no scientific opposition to vaccination by pharmacists, provided that they are properly trained and that the vaccine is properly registered on the Vaccinnet (in Flanders) or E-Vax (in Wallonia and Brussels) platforms,” she explained.
Around two million doses of the vaccine are available for this season.
