Wednesday, April 5, 2023, 6:00 a.m.
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Doctors warn ‘influenza’ fears the number of infections in Thailand increases after covid unfolds
Elderly-Children Risk Groups Recommended to wear a mask, get vaccinated to speed up immunity.
For the past 3 years with the COVID-19 epidemic Most people misunderstand about Some people understand that if they are infected with COVID-19, they will not get influenza again. In fact “Influenza” is still a silent threat that mutates into new infections every year. Most recently, the Foundation for the Promotion of Influenza Education held a discussion on “Where has the flu gone in the COVID-19 era and how should I take care of myself?” from Assoc. Prof. (Special) Dr. Tawee Chot Pittayasunon President of the Foundation for the Promotion of Influenza Education and Prof. Dr. Thiraphong Tanthavichien, MD, Chair of the Chulalongkorn University Tropical Medicine Research Cluster. Assistant Director of Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute for Academic Affairs provided information with Assoc. Faculty of Medicine Chulalongkorn University hosted a program to remind and advise guidelines for self-care and family care in the public sector. and learn about government and private sector preparations for public health and influenza vaccine procurement.
Assoc. Prof. (Special) Dr. Tawee Chot Pittayasunon President of the Foundation for the Promotion of Influenza Education said, “Three years ago, influenza did not go away. It’s just that the general public is interested in COVID and has good self-defense. such as refraining from socializing wearing a mask Be careful about your interactions with others. This behavior is a by-product. preventing germs from various respiratory pathologies almost all but nowadays 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. In addition, in the past 3-4 years, people rarely get infected with influenza. making those people not immune The influenza virus is highly mutated. Which, if stuck, will have worse symptoms than before The best way to protect yourself is to get yourself vaccinated.
In Thailand, influenza will spread during the rainy season. During the months of May-June It is the time when germs are most incubated. 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 Stick to the elderly in the house, such as grandparents, so the 2 main groups that should be immunized with vaccination are: 2. Elderly people and 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), without vaccination, 5-10% of adults are infected with influenza, while children are 20-30% of the total population per year. Calculating from the world’s population of 7 billion, it means that 700 million adults worldwide may be infected with influenza, and this number will be seriously ill and hospitalized. Or admitted to the ICU about 5 million people and the death rate is about 500,000 people, which is a very high number. But if we can vaccinate people around the world every year This number will decrease.
Each year for Thailand, vaccines are prepared, divided into 2 types: 1. The type that the government provides for free injections of about 6 million doses (risk populations). social security group And medical personnel) by focusing on risk groups first and 2. The private sector purchases about 3 million doses by itself, meaning that Thai people will receive about 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 heart disease and
Atherosclerosis, diabetes, cerebrovascular disease COPD It is the duty of those involved in public health care. and need to accelerate more action
Prof. Dr. Thiraphong Tanthawichien, Lecturer of Infectious Diseases Unit Department of Internal Medicine Faculty of Medicine Chulalongkorn University said, “For people who do not get influenza vaccination. When infected, there may be severe symptoms. especially pneumonia Must be hospitalized or some cases must be admitted to the intensive care unit. Especially the elderly over 60 years old and high-risk patients with chronic diseases such as heart disease, kidney failure, chronic lung disease, cancer patients. People who receive immunosuppressive drugs, even if they are younger than 60 years old, and may experience severe infections in pregnant women. In addition, influenza patients may also experience co-infection with other pathogenic viruses. Causing patients to have more serious infections, such as COVID-19, the RHV virus And there are still some bacteria in the respiratory tract in the throat waiting to aggravate such as pneumococcal bacteria. People who die from influenza tend to be older people. or those with chronic illnesses which, if vaccinated, will be able to prevent illness or death From statistics numbers in Thailand. It was found that older people died from influenza nearly 70 times more than younger people, and older people with chronic illnesses died from influenza and pneumonia almost 30 times more than younger people with chronic diseases.
However, another concern is Leaving the lesions of the elderly with severe influenza, although they were originally in good physical health. But after recovering, it was found that some cases tend to have worsened symptoms. or known as transliteration Deconditioning For example, self-help has decreased, requiring a caregiver. or the elderly who were previously unable to help themselves after 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 The four-strain vaccine has been developed to provide immunity and prevent influenza infection better, especially for the elderly group who have weaknesses in the body, that is, when they get older, the response to the vaccine that is commonly used. lower than young people Therefore, for the elderly, if wanting to get influenza vaccination should choose a comprehensive effective. under the supervision of a physician.”
However, we hope that the government is aware of the children, the elderly, that is, there is an increase in the number of injections. expand vaccination
to be a 4-strain type 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 Those interested can study information about influenza. and various infectious diseases Find out more at the Foundation for the Promotion of Influenza Education website.