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Sore throat, cough, fever, chills, muscle and joint pain, headache, intestinal upset, cold … You will no doubt have recognized some of the symptoms of the coronavirus there. Well, it’s the same for the seasonal flu that’s coming. In Switzerland, its epidemic wave usually begins in late December – early January. Since the virus changes every year, it is recommended to renew the vaccination every year.
The latter works best a week or two after the injection and lasts at least four to six months, usually protecting you for the entire season. Sure, you can get the flu despite being vaccinated, but the symptoms will be alleviated and the risk of complications much lower. Because, in 2020, the seasonal virus still kills in Switzerland and causes numerous hospitalizations every year. Support that could be a “luxury” in the face of the treatment of the most serious cases of Covid-19.
We are more likely to catch Covid if we have the flu … and vice versa
If you have symptoms during the flu vaccination, we can, in principle, rule out this pathology and move more quickly to another diagnosis that includes coronavirus.
Cedric Dessimoz, deputy cantonal doctor
“Since the symptoms of the two viruses are similar, it is highly recommended to get vaccinated against seasonal flu this year,” explains Cédric Dessimoz, cantonal deputy doctor. “If you have such symptoms despite vaccination, we can in principle rule out the hypothesis of seasonal flu and move more quickly to another diagnosis, including screening for coronavirus.”
A person who has not been vaccinated against the flu and who has Covid-19 will be weakened, and therefore more at risk of contracting the flu with possible complications. The reverse is also true. Therefore, the accumulated risk of complications from the two pathologies could be fatal, requiring hospitalization at the same time when health services are already in high demand. Seasonal vaccination can therefore be a solution both to protect those most at risk and to prevent saturation of the health system.
A vaccine particularly suitable for people at risk and for those around them
“We recommend the vaccine as a priority to healthcare professionals, to people over the age of 65, to those suffering from chronic diseases (heart or respiratory diseases, patients with diabetes or kidney failure, etc.), then to the entourage of these people or those who work with them. Pregnant women and premature babies are also at risk. Vaccination is therefore recommended for everyone, as in previous years. However, this year we are emphasizing the importance of vaccinating children, even very young children (from 6 months of age), because they are also involved in the transmission of the seasonal influenza virus “.
Vaccination measures could be relaxed
There is no flu vaccination center in Valais. Currently, however, it is possible to get vaccinated in doctors’ offices or pharmacies. “In the pharmacies of our canton it is already possible to vaccinate all those who request it from the age of 16, as long as they do not present particular risks”, observes Cédric Dessimoz.
If I want to be vaccinated, who can I contact?
Delivery of a new vaccine is scheduled for the end of the month. New doses will then be available. If you want to get vaccinated against seasonal flu, talk to your doctor or certified pharmacies, regardless of whether you are in the at-risk population or not. The list of pharmacies that vaccinate (at the recommended price of 30 francs) is available on the vaccinationenpharmacie.ch website. You can also talk to your company’s staff health contact: the flu shot is sometimes paid for by employers.
The rules of hygiene and conduct remain, more than ever, fundamental (wash your hands, wear a mask, respect social distances), whether it is seasonal flu, coronavirus or any other virus. If you have a sudden fever or symptoms of infection, it is recommended that you postpone your vaccination and get tested for coronavirus.
Is influenza vaccination recommended? Take the test!
Learn more: about seasonal flu and its vaccination
The vaccine mimics a natural infection, without the symptoms of the disease, in order to elicit an immune response. The effectiveness of vaccination depends on various factors, such as age or the body’s ability to produce this immune response. “Taking these factors into account, it is estimated that this effectiveness is between 20 and 80%, depending on the flu season and the population group affected,” explains Cédric Dessimoz. “It is less good in the elderly with chronic diseases, especially in cases of immunodeficiency.” Therefore, the flu vaccination is recommended for anyone who comes into contact with vulnerable people, even if not at risk. In this way, they help reduce the risk of contamination.
Read also: Coronavirus: the flu ignites the fight against Covid-19
Read also: Death Statistics: The flu was the deadliest in 2017
Who should be vaccinated?
- People aged 65 and over.
- Those with chronic diseases: cardiac, respiratory, metabolic (diabetes, obesity), renal, neurological, liver pathologies, absence of spleen, immunodeficiency, etc.
- Residents of nursing homes and facilities for patients with chronic diseases.
- Women who are pregnant or who gave birth four weeks or less ago.
- Anyone (parents, grandparents) in contact with a child under 6 months of age.
- Children older than 6 months.
- Anyone, within their family or in the context of their private or professional activity, is in contact with at least one person indicated above.
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