On the air of Radio Troika, Deputy Minister of Health Waldemar Kraska spoke about the current epidemiological situation in the country. What did he say?
“The current state of the epidemiological threat will last until the end of March,” explained Waldemar Kraska. Of course, we are talking about the COVID-19 epidemic, which has been going on in our country since 2020. But will the authorities dare to declare an epidemiological emergency only in connection with the flu?
The state of the epidemiological threat in Poland. How about the flu?
According to the Deputy Minister of Health, everything will depend on the situation. The predicted peak of COVID-19 infections will occur at the turn of February and March. This will allow you to make further decisions regarding this disease. However, it is already known that the epidemic has slowed down a bit and the situation is no longer as critical as it was a year ago.
However, we should not forget about the flu, because this disease dominated the period of Christmas and New Year and will certainly last until the end of winter. According to the Ministry of Health, the number of cases from December 1 to 22 has already amounted to almost 750 thousand. infections! Suspected cases were also included in this number, and half of the estimated number were children. According to Waldemar Krask, the peak incidence of influenza may coincide with the peak incidence of COVID-19.
The Deputy Minister of Health urged not to ignore the recommendations to wear protective masks in clinics and pharmacies, where they are still in effect. In this way, we protect ourselves, other patients and the pharmacist if, for example, we come to the pharmacy sick.
Influenza and RSV epidemic in children’s hospitals
It cannot be denied that the situation in pediatrics is currently the worst. Children get flu and RSV, i.e. respiratory syncytial virus. Hospitals are reaching capacity limits when it comes to the number of beds. Waldemar Kraska said that due to the difficult situation, the efforts of the Ministry of Health are currently focused on pediatric care. Until recently, Health Minister Adam Nedzielski announced the creation of a reserve of beds, which would allow hospitals to cope with an avalanche influx of patients.
Does it make sense to get a flu shot in the middle of the season?
According to the Deputy Minister of Health, it is worth getting vaccinated against influenza now. We gain immunity in about 3 weeks, and the flu season will last until at least March. It’s not hard to get a flu shot. All you have to do is call your family doctor, who will write you a prescription, and then go to the pharmacy with the prescription, where the vaccination will be done.
Kraska mentioned that it is possible that flu vaccination referrals will be issued to everyone from top to bottom, as was the case with COVID-19. Then the process does not even require a trip to the doctor.
Source: Wprost
