November 1st is World Influenza Day. Entering November, the temperature changes in autumn and winter are significant, and it is also a high incidence period for various respiratory infectious diseases such as influenza. What is the current overall epidemic situation of influenza in China? Why should we receive the flu vaccine in a timely manner, and what should we pay attention to before and after vaccination? The National Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention invited experts to accept media interviews to answer public concerns about hot topics related to influenza prevention and control.
At present, influenza activity in China is at a medium to low level but showing an upward trend, "said Wang Dayan, director of the National Influenza Center of the Center for Viral Disease Prevention and Control of the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention. In southern provinces of China, there has been an increase in influenza activity led by the A H3N2 subtype since September, which is co prevalent with the B Victoria influenza virus. In some northern provinces, there has been an increase in influenza activity since October, with the main subtype being A H3N2.
Wang Dayan stated that it is expected that the southern and northern provinces of China will gradually enter a period of high incidence of influenza, and there will be a peak influenza epidemic in autumn and winter, which will be seasonal. During this period, there may be an increase in influenza cluster outbreaks, which mainly occur in densely populated places such as schools, childcare institutions, and elderly care institutions. It is important to prepare for prevention and control in advance.
Recently, reporters visited grassroots community health service centers and found that many people spontaneously come to make appointments for influenza vaccination, and some community vaccination clinics are also actively promoting vaccination work. Why should we receive influenza vaccines in a timely manner, and how to choose between trivalent and tetravalent influenza vaccines?
In response, Peng Zhibin, a researcher at the Infectious Disease Management Department of the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, stated that vaccination against influenza can effectively reduce the risk of infection, illness, and severe illness. The World Health Organization proposes recommended components for trivalent and tetravalent influenza vaccines for the next pandemic season based on global influenza monitoring results every year. Both trivalent and tetravalent influenza vaccines can effectively provide preventive effects, and the public can voluntarily receive either influenza vaccine.
