predict the flu Back to the epidemic following the Covid subsides. Concerned regarding the elderly and children at risk Advise people to proactively prevent Wear a mask and get the flu vaccine. Currently, the vaccine covers both 3 and 4 strains. The government offers free 6 million doses.
Influenza is expected to return to the epidemic following COVID
On March 30, 2023, the Foundation for the Promotion of Influenza Education organized a discussion on ‘Where did the flu go in the era of COVID-19 and how to take care of yourself?’ by Assoc. Prof. (Special) Dr. Tawee Chot Pittayasunon President of the Foundation for the Promotion of Influenza Education Said that 3 years ago, the flu didn’t go away. But the general public is interested in COVID and has good self-defense, such as refraining from socializing. wearing a mask Be careful regarding your interactions with others. This behavior is a by-product. It can prevent almost all respiratory germs, but at present the situation is different. There is a return to daily life and normal activities. It is expected that influenza will definitely return to spread in Thailand.
Statistics from the World Health Organization found that adults and children are infected with “flu” high.
In Thailand, influenza will spread during the rainy season, during the months of May and June, when the disease is incubated the most. Because it’s open term Children go out to do activities close to each other. And come back as a carrier to spread the infection to the family Attached to the elderly in the house, such as grandparents, grandparents, so the 2 main groups that should be immunized with vaccination are: 1. The group of children who will be a group of many infections and is a source of spread and 2. The elderly group Risk groups with congenital diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, lungs, kidneys and brain diseases to prevent life threatening.
According to statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), it is revealed that without vaccination 5-10% of adults are infected with influenza, while children are 20-30% of the population per year. When calculated from the world’s population of 7 billion, it means that up to 700 million adults around the world may be infected with influenza, and this number will be seriously ill and hospitalized. Or admitted to the ICU regarding 5 million people and the death rate is regarding 500,000 people, which is a very high number. But if we might vaccinate people around the world every year, this number would drop.
flu vaccine
for Thailand Each year, there are 2 types of vaccine preparations: 1. The type that the government provides for free injections of regarding 6 million doses (risk populations). social security group and medical personnel) by focusing on risk groups first, and 2. The private sector purchases regarding 3 million doses by itself, meaning that Thai people will receive regarding 9 million influenza vaccination per year, or 12-14%. of the population, which in 2022 Thailand has the number of elderly people over 60 years old, including those with underlying diseases, approximately 13 million people, or 19% of the total population of the country. The preparation of vaccines is therefore insufficient to meet the needs of both children who are the source of the epidemic. And the elderly over 60 years and also include the risk group for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cerebrovascular disease. COPD It is the duty of those involved in public health care. and need to accelerate more action
Older people die from influenza 70 times more than younger people.
Prof. Dr. Thiraphong Tanthawichien, Lecturer of Infectious Diseases Unit Department of Internal Medicine Faculty of Medicine Chulalongkorn University Said that from the statistics in Thailand, it was found that Older people die from influenza nearly 70 times more often than younger people, and older people with chronic illnesses who suffer from influenza and pneumonia die almost 30 times more often than younger people with chronic diseases. The point is Leaving lesions of elderly patients with severe influenza who, although originally in good physical health, But when recovered and found that Some people tend to have worsening symptoms. or known as transliteration Deconditioning, for example, reduced self-help, requires supervision. Or the elderly who were previously unable to help themselves following being seriously ill, resulting in bedridden patients which not only affects the physical health of patients But it also affects the people around you.
so if possible It is therefore recommended that flu vaccination be the best to prevent infection that can lead to severe illness. At present, there are 2 types of influenza vaccines, namely 3 strains, most of which are vaccines that the government provides free of charge to risk groups and 4 strains that the government provides to medical personnel. pregnant women And are generally available in private hospitals and clinics, both of which give good results, however, with medical advances A four-strain vaccine has been developed to provide better immunity and protection once morest influenza infection. Especially being used for the elderly group with disadvantages in the body, that is, when getting older, the response to commonly used vaccines is lower than younger people.
Hope the government is aware of the children, the elderly, that is, there is an increase in the number of injections. Expand the vaccination to four strains and increase the vaccination budget for the working-age population. as a guarantee of health for people to be healthy It is the main backbone of the country’s economy. which without adequate vaccination and an epidemic Thailand will lose the opportunity. And it wastes more resources and costs of maintenance than prevention. According to the calculation principles of health economics
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