2023-11-20 01:00:00
Doctors in Thailand have revealed that the country may see a record number of influenza cases in 2023, with the total number possibly exceeding one million. This revelation comes as medical experts urge the public, especially the elderly and those with chronic diseases, to get vaccinated before it’s too late.
Assoc. Prof. (Special) Dr. Thawee Chotipitayasunon, President of the Foundation for the Promotion of Influenza Education, emphasized the severity of the situation. “In 2023, there were reports of more than 300,000 Thai people suffering from influenza, but the actual number of cases may be much higher,” he said. “Influenza can be contracted all year long, and those who don’t get vaccinated run the risk of getting sick again in the same year.”
The elderly are particularly at risk of serious complications and death from influenza, especially those with underlying health conditions. As a result, Dr. Thawee recommended that the government increase the number of free vaccines for seniors 65 years and older, as well as expanding the group of older children eligible for the vaccine. “Vaccines are cost-effective and have been accepted for more than 80 years,” he added.
Dr. Sasisophin Kiattiburanakul, head of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Ramathibodi Hospital, highlighted the three main factors that put the elderly at high risk: declining immunity, co-morbidities, and malnutrition. “Elderly people should get the flu vaccine to reduce the severity of the disease and reduce the incidence of pneumonia and death,” she said.
The Infectious Diseases Association of Thailand also stressed the importance of influenza vaccination for everyone over the age of 6 months. Thailand currently offers two types of influenza vaccine, including a high-dose option for seniors aged 65 and over, which has been shown to be more effective in reducing symptomatic infections, hospital admissions, and deaths from influenza.
Dr. Thawee emphasized the importance of timely vaccination, urging high-risk groups to get vaccinated as soon as the new season’s vaccine becomes available in April-May. He also advised the public to maintain a distance of at least 6 months between vaccinations and to seek out government nursing services for free shots or contact the Department of Disease Control hotline for more information.]
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