Add us as your preferred source on Google to see more of our content in Search.
Add to Preferred SourcesAmid a potential global shortage in influenza vaccines and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the UN health agency has advised countries to protect the elderly and health workers first.
The updated recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO), come as the northern hemisphere braces for the seasonal bug, which claims hundreds of thousands of lives from respiratory-related causes every year.
“There has in fact been an increased demand and we’re hearing now that countries that are trying to get influenza vaccine cannot get it”, said Dr. Ann Moen, Chief, Influenza Preparedness and Response at the WHO.
The aim of the announcement by the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) is to prevent national health care systems from becoming overwhelmed – and to prevent “confusion” when treating people for respiratory diseases that can be difficult to tell apart, Dr. Moen said.
“Based on a set of considerations, including alleviating the added burden on health care systems and vulnerable populations and managing potentially limited supplies of influenza vaccines, SAGE has recommended…among the five risk groups (that) health workers and older adults are the highest priority groups for influenza vaccination during COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.
Previously, SAGE identified five vulnerable groups: pregnant women – the highest priority – children, older adults, those with underlying medical conditions, and health workers, in no particular order.
The development comes amid remarkably low infection rates of influenza in the southern hemisphere, which have been attributed to COVID-19 protection measures, including travel restrictions.
“There really just is not a lot of flu” in the global south, Dr. Moen said, citing Australia, New Zealand, South America, and South Africa.
Testing usually indicated a 10 to 30 percent influenza infection rate among the population, she continued, but this year, just one percent of tests have turned up positive.
Despite the lack of an apparent threat, countries in the global north should remain vigilant, amid rising infection rates across many countries and regions, Dr. Moen insisted.
Original source: UN News