“At the moment the wave of the flu virus worries us more than Covid. And there is an explanation: in recent years, 70-80% of elderly, fragile patients have been vaccinated against Sars-CoV-2 with at least 2-3 doses in general, however, against the flu, which will be particularly aggressive this year, the population at risk is less protected because it has not had the vaccination.” Antonino Giarratano, president of Siaarti – Italian society of anaesthesia, resuscitation, intensive care and pain therapy, tells Adnkronos Salute on the sidelines of the 78th National Congress of the scientific society, underway in Naples.
“Unlike what has happened historically in flu vaccinations – explains Giarratano – today we find ourselves with the majority of elderly and frail people who are not vaccinated or who have not had vaccinations for years. So Covid will certainly have an important impact , but what will worry those who work in intensive care will be the wave of influenza which this year will act in a dangerous, and therefore much more serious, manner towards frail and elderly patients”.
“From the point of view of us resuscitation anesthetists – concludes Giarratano – Covid and all viral diseases cause organ failure in fragile patients and will create problems for intensive care. It is obvious however that, since the population due to Covid has vaccinated in a percentage that is quadruple or quintuple compared to those vaccinated for the flu, the message for the elderly is: get the booster for Covid as soon as the time comes, but categorically also get the flu vaccine”.
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