The flu is often dismissed as a harmless condition. Still, the numbers tell a slightly different story.
- After an infection it usually takes 2 to 3 days for the symptoms to start.
- Flu starts suddenly and usually lasts 3 to 8 days.
- It can take 1 to 3 weeks for you to fully recover.
- Every year, 5 to 15% of the population worldwide gets the flu.
- The flu causes about 500,000 deaths worldwide every year.
- On average, 500,000 people in Belgium are affected by a flu syndrome every year, ie about 2 to 8% of the population.
- The epidemic threshold is the minimum number of GP consultations for flu-like symptoms per 100,000 inhabitants per week that is required to officially speak of an epidemic. This number is calculated by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and has varied over the past 5 years between 135 and 157 GP visits per 100,000 inhabitants.
- A moderate flu epidemic affects about 5% of the population (550,000 out of 11 million inhabitants).
- A stronger flu epidemic affects about 10% of the population (1,100,000 in 11 million inhabitants).
- On average, 1 in 1,000 flu patients develop complications that require hospitalization.
- Of the hospitalized cases, 13% develop serious complications, which are fatal in 6% of the hospitalized cases.
- More than 90% of deaths concern people aged 65 or older.
- The flu season lasts an average of 8 to 12 weeks.
- The flu shot reduces the chance of getting the flu by 40% to 70%.
- The flu vaccines cost about 4 euros per vaccine for ordinary insured persons and 2.5 euros for those who have an increased allowance. It is free for residents of subsidized institutions.
- During the previous season (2021 – 2022), 3.16 million doses were distributed to pharmacies. Of these, approximately 2.8 million doses are said to have been sold (FAMHP information).
Flu vaccination 2022 – 2023
This year’s quadrivalent vaccines contain antigens against the 2 most common influenza A strains and against the two circulating B strains (Victoria and Yamagata). Only vaccines of this type will be available in Belgium for the 2022 – 2023 season.
A “high dose” quadrivalent vaccine will also be available for the first time this year. The National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (RIZIV) only provides reimbursement for this high-dose vaccine when it is used on people? 65 years of age who reside in residential care (e.g. residential care centers, convalescence centers) or in another form of institution.