China CDC： It is recommended to get flu vaccine as soon as possible, especially for the elderly.

The cold wave hits the bone, and the flu season increases the sorrow. Just after a holiday, I don’t know if everyone is well.

According to the report of influenza-like cases in the 52nd week of 2023 released by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention on January 4th, the percentage of influenza-like cases reported by sentinel hospitals in southern provinces was 9.6%, which was higher than the previous week’s level (8.8%) and the same period in 2020-2022 (3.6%, 4.0% and 8.4%), and influenza viruses were mainly subtype A (H3N2).

On December 24th, at the press conference held in National Health Commission, Peng Zhibin, director of the Department of Respiratory Infectious Diseases of the Infectious Diseases Management Office of China CDC, said that personal protection was recommended for the elderly, pregnant women, children and patients with serious chronic basic diseases aged 65 and above.

So what should the elderly do in the face of flu season? Come and have a look with me.

First of all, we need to know what the flu is.

Influenza is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by influenza virus.

Influenza viruses are divided into three types: A, B and C, and the main ones that can cause outbreaks are A and B, among which influenza A is mainly subtype A 1 (H1N1) and A 3 (H3N2).

Often referred to as influenza A virus. There are often symptoms such as sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, runny nose, vomiting, diarrhea, etc., which is difficult to differentiate from the symptoms of respiratory tract infection caused by other pathogens. Vaccination of influenza vaccine in advance is the most economical, effective and important measure to prevent influenza.

Secondly, why are the elderly more likely to get the flu?

The joint research team from the University of Michigan and Temple University found some clues-as people get older, a lipid that controls inflammation will gradually weaken the immune defense ability of the lungs, which will lead to the damage of alveolar macrophage, the first line of defense of the lungs, with age. Macrophages are immune cells, which are distributed in pulmonary alveoli or alveoli. Their main function is to attack external "invaders" such as influenza A virus (IAV).

In addition, the lung compliance of the elderly is decreased, the respiratory muscle strength is weakened, and the cough reflex is also weakened. If there are factors such as coexistence of multiple diseases and malnutrition, it will easily lead to influenza infection in the elderly.

According to the latest "Technical Guidelines for Influenza Vaccination in China (2023-2024)", the elderly aged 60 and above are also classified as key and high-risk groups.

So, what kinds of influenza vaccines can be vaccinated for the elderly?

Currently, influenza vaccines on the market include trivalent influenza vaccine and tetravalent influenza vaccine.

The so-called trivalent influenza vaccine means that it can prevent the infection of three types of influenza viruses, including influenza A H1N1, influenza A H3N2 and influenza B Victoria strains.

The tetravalent influenza vaccine can prevent four types of influenza virus infection, including influenza A (H1N1), influenza A (H3N2), influenza B (Victoria) and influenza B (Yamagata). In view of the epidemic of influenza A (H3N2) this year, vaccination with trivalent influenza vaccine or tetravalent influenza vaccine can effectively prevent it.

Finally, what is the preventive effect of influenza vaccine on the elderly?

Usually after 2-4 weeks of influenza vaccination, antibodies with protective level can be produced. The protective effect can last for 6-8 months, and then the antibody begins to decay.

Special reminder

In daily life, the elderly should frequently open windows for ventilation, strengthen air circulation, exercise regularly and maintain a good lifestyle. In the flu season, try to avoid going to closed places where people gather.

Xiaobian also specially sorted out the vaccination information of the vaccination clinic in Jinshan District. If necessary, you can go to the vaccination according to the vaccination information.

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Original title: China CDC: It is recommended to vaccinate against influenza as soon as possible, especially for the elderly.

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