Enough flu vaccines available in Corfu
flu
20 Oct 2022
/ 22:06
CORFU. Corfu Family Doctors Union President: It is very important to carry out the vaccinations in time and before there is a spike in flu cases.
Corfu pharmacies are ready for this year's flu vaccinations. They have already received the first batches since last month and according to the Corfu Pharmaceutical Association President Alexandros Stamatakos no insufficiency has been observed. The flu vaccines are in the pharmacies earlier than any other year.
These are quadrivalent vaccines that provide protection for four variants of the flu virus and are being administered for free exclusively with an online prescription.
"This year we don't have problems like we had in previous years. A large number of vaccines have already been received and we are expecting some more. The vaccines of the different companies are similar and citizens should not worry because the composition of the influenza vaccine contains the approved variants of the virus, according to the recommendations of the World Health Organisation," Mr. Stamatakos told Enimerosi, noting that every influenza vaccination must be registered in the National Vaccination Registry by the health professional who carries it out.
The quantity of vaccines ordered this year is higher than last year. Specifically, 20,000 doses have been ordered - 3,000 more than last year.
However, since the pharmacies have the possibility of ordering vaccines from outside Corfu as well, this is not the final number.
Prescriptions have started
Online prescriptions for flu vaccines have already started since last month.
Mr. Kakavitsas told Enimerosi that the vaccinations are done once a year, while it is very important for them to be carried out in time and before there is a spike in flu cases.
"It takes about 15 to 20 days for the antibodies to be reproduced following vaccination, which provides protection against the flu for at least 6 months to a year and is, therefore, done once a year. People see the sun and leave the vaccination for later, but it takes time to achieve immunisation," he explained.
According to the Corfu Pharmacists Association Secretary Pericles Rarakos, the flu vaccinations begin in the first half of October and last until November, so that the vaccines can act in the months during which the flu is at its peak. However, for those who do not get vaccinated in time, vaccination continues when the seasonal flu is at its peak as well, i.e. in January and even more so in February and March.
Vaccination recommendation
The following are vulnerable groups and are recommended to get vaccinated:
- Those aged 60 and above
- Children under 6 months
- Those suffering from asthma or other chronic pulmonary diseases, heart diseases, anaemia, diabetes, chronic kidney diseases, chronic liver diseases, neurological diseases
- Those who have received transplants
- Tose with Down syndrome
- Those who are pregnant, new mothers or breastfeeding
- Those who are overweight
- Those who look after young children
- Those who are institutionalised (live-in students, armed forces, residents of institutions, school employees)
- Health professionals
- Homeless people
- Those involved in poultry farming, veterinarians, farmers and other people who come regularly into contact with birds or pigs
These are quadrivalent vaccines that provide protection for four variants of the flu virus and are being administered for free exclusively with an online prescription.
"This year we don't have problems like we had in previous years. A large number of vaccines have already been received and we are expecting some more. The vaccines of the different companies are similar and citizens should not worry because the composition of the influenza vaccine contains the approved variants of the virus, according to the recommendations of the World Health Organisation," Mr. Stamatakos told Enimerosi, noting that every influenza vaccination must be registered in the National Vaccination Registry by the health professional who carries it out.
The quantity of vaccines ordered this year is higher than last year. Specifically, 20,000 doses have been ordered - 3,000 more than last year.
However, since the pharmacies have the possibility of ordering vaccines from outside Corfu as well, this is not the final number.
Prescriptions have started
Online prescriptions for flu vaccines have already started since last month.
Mr. Kakavitsas told Enimerosi that the vaccinations are done once a year, while it is very important for them to be carried out in time and before there is a spike in flu cases.
"It takes about 15 to 20 days for the antibodies to be reproduced following vaccination, which provides protection against the flu for at least 6 months to a year and is, therefore, done once a year. People see the sun and leave the vaccination for later, but it takes time to achieve immunisation," he explained.
According to the Corfu Pharmacists Association Secretary Pericles Rarakos, the flu vaccinations begin in the first half of October and last until November, so that the vaccines can act in the months during which the flu is at its peak. However, for those who do not get vaccinated in time, vaccination continues when the seasonal flu is at its peak as well, i.e. in January and even more so in February and March.
Vaccination recommendation
The following are vulnerable groups and are recommended to get vaccinated:
- Those aged 60 and above
- Children under 6 months
- Those suffering from asthma or other chronic pulmonary diseases, heart diseases, anaemia, diabetes, chronic kidney diseases, chronic liver diseases, neurological diseases
- Those who have received transplants
- Tose with Down syndrome
- Those who are pregnant, new mothers or breastfeeding
- Those who are overweight
- Those who look after young children
- Those who are institutionalised (live-in students, armed forces, residents of institutions, school employees)
- Health professionals
- Homeless people
- Those involved in poultry farming, veterinarians, farmers and other people who come regularly into contact with birds or pigs
